Introduction and Objective: Insulin pumps are beneficial for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the time required to initiate pump therapy after the decision to start remains unclear. This study quantifies the time from decision to pump start (TTPS).Methods: This retrospective study included individuals with T1D at an academic diabetes center who decided to initiate pump therapy from May 2022 to March 2025. Dates of pump decision, demonstration and initiation were collected. Time from decision to pump initiation was measured, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared TTPS differences in insurances and those attending the pump demonstration visit.Results: Participants included 114 adults with T1D [median age 38.7years, 53% male, 20% Black, 67% commercial insurance, median diabetes duration 7.4years]. Median TTPS was 92.5 days (IQR:57,146). Patients with commercial insurance had a significantly shorter TTPS versus those on public insurance [86days (IQR:50,124) vs 122 (IQR:77,197),p=0.03]. Patients attending the pump demonstration visit had a significantly longer TTPS versus those who did not [112 (IQR:83,149) vs 77 (IQR:47,145)days,p=0.007]. There was no significant difference in TTPS by pump type(p=0.39).Conclusion: Patients took approximately 3 months to initiate insulin pump use, with delays associated with public insurance. Future efforts are required to reduce delays in the pump initiation process to optimize health outcomes.
Y. Valdez: None. Y. Kim: None. N. Parimi: None. A. Sidhaye: None. E.A. Brown: None. N.N. Mathioudakis: None. R.M. Wolf: Research Support; Novo Nordisk, Lilly Diabetes. Advisory Panel; Uneo. Research Support; Sanofi.
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