What should I do if my Omnipod (insulin pump) falls off?

Immediate Action for Omnipod Detachment

Replace the Omnipod immediately with a new pod and transition to multiple daily injections (MDI) with long-acting basal insulin if a replacement pod is not immediately available to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis and severe hyperglycemia. 1

Immediate Steps When Pod Falls Off

First Priority: Prevent Hyperglycemia and DKA

• Check blood glucose immediately using a fingerstick meter, as you have lost all insulin delivery and are at risk for rapid glucose elevation 1
• Administer correction insulin via injection (rapid-acting insulin pen or syringe) if blood glucose is elevated, as the pod failure represents complete interruption of insulin infusion 1
• Monitor for ketones if blood glucose exceeds 250 mg/dL (14 mmol/L), as infusion set failures are the "Achilles heel" of pump systems and can rapidly lead to ketoacidosis 1

Second Priority: Restore Insulin Delivery

• Apply a new Omnipod as soon as possible if replacement pods are available 1
• If no replacement pod is immediately available, transition to MDI using your backup insulin supplies (this is why backup supplies are essential) 1
• Calculate basal insulin needs from your previous pump settings: sum your 24-hour basal rates and administer as long-acting insulin (glargine or detemir) while waiting for pod replacement 2
• Continue rapid-acting insulin for meals and corrections using your insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios and correction factors from your pump settings 2

Common Causes of Pod Detachment

Technical and Environmental Factors

• Adhesive failure from exposure to water, sweat, oils, or lotions at the insertion site 1
• Environmental conditions including high temperatures, humidity, or physical activity that compromises adhesion 1
• Mechanical trauma from clothing, seatbelts, or accidental bumping that dislodges the pod 1
• Inadequate skin preparation before pod application, leaving oils or moisture that prevent proper adhesion 1

Skin-Related Issues

• Contact dermatitis (irritant or allergic) from adhesive components, which may cause inflammation and compromise pod adherence 1
• Lipohypertrophy at overused sites, creating an uneven surface that prevents proper pod adhesion 3

Prevention Strategies for Future Pod Loss

Optimize Pod Adhesion

• Prepare skin thoroughly by cleaning with alcohol and allowing complete drying before pod application 1
• Rotate insertion sites systematically every 2-3 days to prevent lipohypertrophy and maintain healthy skin for optimal adhesion 3
• Consider adhesive reinforcement with additional medical tape or barrier products if you experience frequent pod detachment, particularly during exercise or in hot weather 1
• Avoid applying lotions or oils near the pod site, as these compromise adhesive integrity 1

Maintain Backup Supplies

• Always carry backup insulin supplies including long-acting basal insulin, rapid-acting insulin, syringes or pens, and blood glucose testing supplies 1
• Keep extra pods readily available and ensure you can obtain replacements promptly through your supplier 1
• Have a written backup plan that includes your basal rates, insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios, and correction factors for transitioning to MDI 1

When to Contact Healthcare Provider or Manufacturer

Contact Manufacturer Technical Support If:

• Pods repeatedly fall off before the expected 3-day wear time, as this may indicate a manufacturing defect requiring replacement 1
• You notice pod malfunction such as occlusion alarms, cracked housing, or insulin delivery issues prior to detachment 1
• Skin reactions develop including severe redness, itching, or contact dermatitis that prevents pod use 1

Contact Healthcare Provider If:

• Blood glucose remains elevated above 250 mg/dL despite correction insulin, or ketones are present, indicating possible DKA 1
• You experience recurrent pod failures requiring adjustment of insertion sites or adhesive strategies 1
• Signs of infection develop at insertion sites, including erythema, warmth, purulent drainage, or fever 3

Critical Safety Considerations

• Never attempt to reattach a detached pod, as this creates infection risk and cannot guarantee proper insulin delivery 1
• Report device failures to the manufacturer and FDA MAUDE database to ensure safety monitoring and potential recalls are appropriately tracked 1
• Recognize that pod detachment represents complete insulin delivery interruption, requiring the same urgent response as any pump failure with immediate transition to alternative insulin delivery 1