Where do people inject / change infusion sets at work?

[Cumbrianlass]

When I used insulin pens I used to inject at my desk at work, in my tummy was no problem, but when I split my lantus and did my morning dose at 10.30am into my buttock, I used to have to ask my colleagues to leave the room. (Occ Health suggested I had access to a private room - but none available so I just adapted and did this).

I have recently gone onto an insulin pump and am returning to work after a period of sick leave, following a nasty infection. This time occ health have suggested that I have 'access to appropriate clean hygienic conditions to test and adjust treatment if needed'. I met with my manager yesterday who had taken advice from HR and said that this area could be 'a toliet', ' a kitchen area' or 'an office area'. There is no way I feel that the toilet is a hygienic so I ended up suggesting that I just once again ask my collegaues to leave and utilse the office as I need a private space as my infusion sets go either into my tummy or buttocks and I need to get my trousers down (and our office has a lock on the door)!

However I have since reflected and am feeling pretty anxious about it all. Three new colleagues have started since I have been off and although I am pretty open about my diabetes I don't know these people and don't really want to have to go back into work and start explaining to them all that I am diabetic and on a pump and why I might just have to get them to up and leave to give me some privacy. And if I do have to change my infusion set at work, it will more than likely be because it has failed, my sugars will be high and I will have ketones, so I will just want to get it done without a fuss - or at least without the fuss of having to ask people to leave - and lots of 'what if's' are now in my head ' what if people are on the phone or in the middle of something or are difficult about it etc etc.

Just wondering what others do and if anyone can offer any advice?

 

[Pumper_Sue]

As you need to change a set before a meal then either do it before breakfast or an evening meal thus no need to change at work at all. Problem solved 🙂
But if on the rare ocassion you have to change whilst at work then go to the kitchen area . If it not that clean then then use some anti bac cleaner on the surface you are going to use. I can't see why everyone else has to leave the room for you. It's your condition not theirs 🙂
If you know your cartridge will run out before home time then fill a cartridge and take it with you to work. You don't need to change cannula at same time as cartridge. 🙂

 

[Cumbrianlass]

Hi Sue, I fully intend to change my sets at breakfast, and would prefer not to leave them until tea time as I would rather make sure they are fully up and running as have had numerous failed sets in my short pumping life and don't want to lose any more sleep waking to test and worrying in case they're not working.

The kitchen would be great, but the designated kitchen area on my floor doesn't have a sink, acts a corridor between two offices and has a set of stairs accessing it through a firedoor with glass in it. I'm just recalling that its so hygienic that people wash their cups and fill up the kettle in the sink which is right next to the toilet. Lovely. Can't wait to get back!