What Happens to Your Insulin Pump When You Go to the Hospital? New Review Offers Insights

A new review of published research suggests that people with Type 1 diabetes may be able to keep using their automated insulin delivery systems during hospitalization, but more evidence is still needed.

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Key takeaways

Early evidence suggests automated insulin delivery (AID) systems can safely continue working in hospital settings for people with Type 1 diabetes
Studies show a trend toward better time spent in target blood sugar ranges without more low blood sugar episodes
The current body of research is small and uses different methods, so more studies are needed to make clear recommendations
Healthcare providers' perspectives and what patients themselves experience during hospital stays remain understudied

Why This Question Matters

When someone with Type 1 diabetes is admitted to the hospital, questions arise about their diabetes management. Should they continue using their automated insulin pump and CGM system, or switch to traditional insulin injections? A new review examined what research currently says about keeping AID systems running during hospital stays.

What the Research Shows So Far

Researchers searched medical databases for studies published between 2014 and 2025 about AID use in hospitalized patients with Type 1 diabetes. Out of over 1,000 articles initially identified, only 8 studies met the criteria for detailed review—a sign that this is a relatively new area of research.

The limited evidence available suggests that continuing AID in the hospital setting appears feasible and safe. Studies showed a trend toward patients spending more time in their target blood sugar ranges and better average glucose levels. Importantly, researchers found no reports of dangerous low blood sugars or diabetic ketoacidosis among patients who continued their AID systems.

What's Still Missing

While the initial findings are encouraging, the review highlighted significant gaps. The studies examined different types of patients, different device systems, and used different research methods, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

The review also noted that very little research has explored what hospital staff think about patients using AID systems, or what patients themselves experience during their hospital stay. These perspectives are important for understanding how well this approach works in real-world hospital settings.

What This Means Now

If you're admitted to a hospital, the question of whether to continue your AID system should be discussed with your hospital care team. The emerging evidence is promising, but practices vary. More rigorous studies and clearer hospital guidelines are needed to help doctors and patients make informed decisions together.

Evidence label

Source: Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.

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