### Adjusting Diabetes Devices for Daylight Savings Time When Daylight Savings Time comes around, it's important to update the time on all your diabetes devices. Here's why and how you should do it: #### Insulin Pumps Insulin pumps often have multiple basal rates and insulin-to-carb (IC) ratios set for different times of the day. If the time is off, even by an hour, it can lead to incorrect insulin dosing. For example, using a lunchtime IC ratio at dinner could result in nearly double the insulin dose you need, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, make sure to update the time on your insulin pump. #### Blood Glucose Meters and Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) The time on your blood glucose meter and CGM should also be accurate. Doctors rely on the time-stamped data from these devices to make informed decisions about your treatment plan. If the time is incorrect, it could lead to inappropriate adjustments in your therapy. Additionally, accurate time stamps help you review and understand your blood sugar patterns better. #### Practical Tips - **Keep Instructions Handy**: Keep the quick-start instructions for your devices in a place where you can easily find them, like your battery drawer. - **Change Batteries**: Consider changing the batteries in your devices when you update the time, similar to how you might change the batteries in your smoke detectors. - **Gradual Adjustment for Basal Insulin**: If you take basal insulin shots, ideally, you should adjust the time gradually over a few days. Change the time by 15 minutes each day over four days to avoid overlaps or gaps in insulin coverage. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your diabetes management remains accurate and effective, even with the time change.