CSII Safety: What You Need to Know About Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Risks and Best Practices

When you use a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion, a system that delivers insulin through a small pump worn on the body, often called an insulin pump. Also known as CSII, it’s a life-changing tool for people with type 1 diabetes—but it only works if used safely. Unlike multiple daily injections, CSII gives you steady insulin flow, but that also means any glitch—blocked tubing, dislodged catheter, or software error—can lead to dangerously high blood sugar in hours, not days.

That’s why insulin pump safety, the set of practices and safeguards that prevent device-related failures and metabolic emergencies isn’t optional. It’s daily maintenance. You need to check your site every morning, test your blood sugar more often when you change your infusion set, and know the warning signs of pump failure: unexplained high readings, ketones in urine, or sudden fatigue. Even something as simple as sleeping on your pump can kink the tubing and cut off insulin flow. Studies show over 40% of pump-related hospital visits are avoidable with basic checks.

And it’s not just about the device. diabetic complications, serious health issues like ketoacidosis, nerve damage, or vision loss that can worsen if insulin delivery fails are directly tied to how well CSII is managed. People who skip site rotations or ignore low reservoir alerts are at higher risk. That’s why your care team should review your pump logs every visit—not just to see numbers, but to spot patterns: Did your sugar spike after every workout? Did you have a blockage right after changing your site? Those details save lives.

You’re not alone in this. Thousands of users manage CSII safely every day by sticking to simple rules: change your infusion set every 2–3 days, always carry fast-acting glucose and backup insulin pens, and never rely on the pump alone during illness or stress. The technology is smart, but you’re the one who keeps it working.

Below, you’ll find real-world guides on how to spot pump risks before they turn emergencies, what to do when your insulin delivery fails, and how to compare newer models with better safety features—like those with automatic shut-offs or remote monitoring. These aren’t theory pieces. They’re written by people who’ve been there, and they’ll help you stay in control.