Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

BASAL-BOLUS INSULIN THERAPY | 12-85

Figure 13. Patient handout travel instructions example

Travel instructions for: [name] travelling to Finland. Baseline insulin dose is 16 units NPH at 10:00 PM and 6 units at lunch, with rapid-acting insulin before each meal, using carbohydrate counting to calculate doses.

Note: all times are approximate. Departure day: August 13,20 Local time (e.g. Toronto): stay on local time until you get to Europe

Destination time

:00 PM

9:00 AM

Insulin and breakfast as usual

12:00 PM

Insulin and lunch as usual

6:00 PM (approximately)

Insulin as usual with dinner

8:30 PM

Plane leaves

10:00 PM

Take 10 units (reduced for time difference in Finland) of NPH on the plane Snack as desired from the meal served. Take an extra dose of rapid-acting insulin based on carbohydrate content. Sleep, if possible. Try using eyeshades and earplugs to help you sleep. Breakfast served: take usual doses for breakfast if desired (rapid insulin with correction as needed) 10:00 am

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

Arrive in Helsinki. Change your watch/time to the new time.

11:00 am

New time 11:00 AM in Finland 1:00 PM (6:00 AM Toronto time)

Take your usual doses of rapid-acting insulin and NPH at lunch. Nap as needed.

6:00 to 7:00 PM (11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Toronto time)

Take your usual doses of insulin for dinner.

10:00 PM (3:00 PM Toronto time)

Take usual dose of NPH (16 units) in the evening.

Have a good t ime! Return trip:

August 26, 20 Local time (e.g. Helsinki): stay on local time until you get home.

Destination time (Toronto)

8:00 AM

Insulin and breakfast as usual

1:00 AM

12:00 PM

Insulin and lunch as usual

3:00 PM

Plane departs

8:00 AM

6:00 PM

Dinner on plane. take usual insulin dose. Snack as desired from the second meal served. Take an extra dose of rapid-acting insulin based on carbohydrate content.

11:00 PM

Arrive in Toronto. Change your watch/time to local time. 4:00 PM

Toronto time: Transition to a new day 4:00 PM

Arrive in Toronto. 6:00 PM (1:00 AM Helsinki) have an extra meal and an extra dose of rapid insulin (use ratio and correction). 9:00 PM (4:00 AM Helsinki) take usual bedtime dose of 16 units NPH and sleep. 6:00 AM Start the next morning with your usual doses of insulin.