Billing, Montana – With pods that automatically manufacture insulin and connect to an app on the patient’s phone so that insulin levels can be monitored, a new technology known as Omnipod 5 is attempting to make life easier for diabetes patients.
Kasadi Fishburn has lived with diabetes her entire life. As a patient of type one before becoming a nurse at St. Vincent Healthcare.
“It’s a chronic 24/7, never-ending job because you get to play your pancreas 24/7,” Fishburn said.
Fishburn is aware personally of the difficulties her patients encounter every day as they attempt to keep their insulin levels in check.
But now it’s simpler thanks to a new choice called Omnipod 5.
“So previously, say I ate breakfast, and I was going into work, I would look and I would see how much insulin I have on board,” Fishburn said. “Now, my pump is doing that for me, and it reduces that stress of making sure I’m not going low while I’m at work.”
The Omnipod 5 has no tubes and controls how often patients receive injections. Additionally, it can be positioned in a variety of places on the body, including the arm, thigh, and abdomen.
A phone app that connects to the pod and monitors the patient’s insulin levels is also available.
The patient may bring out their phone, notice their uptake is low, and, with the touch of a button, enhance it.
Being able to assist patients of all ages, according to Megan Strickland, the Clinical Nurse with Omnipod in Montana is one of the things that makes her job so special.
“Just to be part of new technology and seeing so many people excited about it,” Strickland said. “Kiddos all the way up to any age of adults. People are truly excited to have this.”
The revolutionary technology has changed Fishburn’s life as well as the lives of her patients.
“It’s the best thing ever,” Fishburn said. “It’s really helped in all aspects of my life.”
Strickland is attempting to get it into as many hands as possible because of this. “You can catch them years into being diagnosed and provide them something that is going to hopefully help them,” Strickland said. “And that in itself is life-changing.”
