My pump is beeping/vibrating.
When your pump beeps/vibrates it is trying to tell you something. First, look at the screen and check for messages or icons. If there is an Alarm or Error message, please see "My pump displays an Error or Alarm message" (below).

If there is not an Alarm or Error message, that means the pump is reminding you of a temporary status. For example, you may have placed the pump in Suspend, or you set a Temporary Basal Rate.

My pump displays an Error or Alarm message.
"Troubleshooting Alarms and Screen Messages," pages 105-108, in the User Guide, gives complete descriptions of common Errors and Alarms. Note: The 508 has nearly 100 specific Alarms. For simplicity, we list many alarms with the general EXX (with XX meaning a specific alarm code, e.g., E-13).

You can clear alarm messages by pressing SEL, then ACT. Then, resolve the problem causing the alarm by following instructions in the User's Guide.

Important note: Some of the pump's software safety alarms will reset all programming to factory defaults (this means your BASAL RATES are reset to 0.0 u/hr), and you always need to be prepared to re-set your delivery information. Therefore, ALWAYS carry a written record of your basal rate settings with you.

How do I know my pump is programmed correctly?
Check the pump settings by using the SEL button to review all the screens.

BASAL RATES: To verify that your basal rates are correctly programmed, go to the Basal Rate Screen and use the arrows to scroll through all the Start Times and Amounts programmed in the pump. You can check this against the written record of your basal rate settings, which we encourage you to carry with you at all times.

My pump has a No Delivery alarm.
When a No Delivery alarm occurs, some people conclude that the pump is broken. On the contrary, a No Delivery alarm means that the pump is working correctly, and it has detected that something is preventing insulin from being delivered.

There are several different reasons why this alarm can occur, and learning how to avoid them is part of becoming familiar with your pump. The most common reasons for No Delivery alarms are a clog or kink in the infusion line, or a problem at the site.

When you get a No Delivery alarm, first check your blood sugars and take an injection if needed. Then, change your reservoir and set, and monitor your blood sugars closely. If you've followed these steps and you suspect that something is wrong with the pump and/or infusion set, call the 24-hour Product Help Line.

My blood glucose is 14 mmol/L or higher.
ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF YOUR GLUCOSE LEVEL FIRST - You must take an injection of insulin with a standard syringe and change your infusion set whenever you have two blood glucose readings in a row above 14 mmol/L, even if you think your pump is working correctly. Remember, ALWAYS take an injection BEFORE investigating what is causing your high glucose levels.

I have a Low Battery message.
Change your batteries as soon as possible, and certainly before going to bed.

For best results, use Medtronic Diabetes pump batteries, and follow the guide on the battery carrier (see "Pump Care and Maintenance" in your User's Guide, pages 83-85) to verify that you are inserting the batteries in the correct direction.

What does it mean when I get an E-XX message followed by an E-01 message?
The pump runs thousands of "safety checks" on its software throughout the day. An E-XX error can occur when one of these "safety checks" is interrupted, or if the pump sees a potential error.

The E-01 SET PUMP message occurs as a result of the E-XX error, and it is the pump's way of correcting the error and resuming normal function. Remember, this is an error that requires reprogramming personal delivery information. Therefore, you should ALWAYS carry a written record of your basal rates.

What do I do if I have to go off the pump?
Always keep a written record of your pre-pump insulin injection regimen in the event that you have to return to injections. Keep this record, as well as backup supplies in your diabetes "Emergency Kit," along with backup pumps supplies, ketone monitoring supplies, etc. For a complete list of what you should keep in your kit, see your User Guide.

How do I fill the reservoir and prime the pump?
The most important thing to remember about changing the reservoir is that safety comes first: ALWAYS disconnect from the pump before removing or installing the pump reservoir.
Mastering this task may take a few tries, but it should soon become routine. Please refer to the following documentation for help:

If you still have questions, feel free to contact us.