Statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Consensus Panel on insulin pump management

Insulin pumps have come of age. With their proliferation in medical practices, some guidance is necessary for prospective and current prescribers to ensure their optimal and safe use. This document summarizes the current state-of-the-art of continuous subcutaneous insulin delivery available to patients requiring intensive insulin management to control their diabetes mellitus. Physicians prescribing insulin pumps for their patients should have a round-the-clock system in place to answer patients' concerns about pump problems. The authors summarize available peer-reviewed publications providing data that compare pumps with multiple insulin injections, address pump safety issues, and document cost-effectiveness analyses of insulin pump use. They address the essential issue related to the economic feasibility of using pumps in medical practices. From the foregoing discussion, it is clear that, even after more than 3 decades of clinical insulin pump use, many critical questions remain. High-quality, peer-reviewed research studies must be conducted to provide timely answers.