Why is it important to keep good records?
Your healthcare team can help you reach your goal of near-normal blood glucose levels much faster if you keep good records of your insulin use, diet, exercise and other events that can affect your blood sugar levels.
Refer to your logbook when testing your basal rates and bolus doses. In addition, always bring records from your last 90 days to your healthcare provider at each quarterly visit. For more information, log on and use our free insulin pump therapy tutorial at www.pumpschoolonline.com.
Electronic data management
To take advantage of the data stored in your insulin pump and meter's memory, try Solutions™ Software for Pumps and Meters. Solutions Software can organize your insulin, carbohydrate and blood glucose information using easy-to-read graphs and charts that you bring to your office visits. With Solutions Software, you have data at your fingertips you can use to address highs and lows. It can help reveal where you can adjust medication, diet and activity to better match your needs.
Paper systems
If you prefer a paper-based system, try the checkbook-size Daily Journal, designed especially for insulin pump users. Daily blood glucose test results, carbohydrate intake, meal and correction boluses, basal rates, exercise, ketones and set changes all fit neatly into a compact, two-page layout. The Daily Journal can also provide an important written record in the unlikely event your pump or meter's memory is erased.
Download a free, faxable version of the Daily Journal here:
Daily Journal (approx. 350 KB). Adobe Acrobat Reader required. This is a convenient format for frequent communication with your healthcare team.
Information on this site should not be used as a subsitute for talking to your doctor.
Guidelines for Using the Daily Journal
Important Note: The shaded area of the Daily Journal graph represents the acceptable level of blood glucose control for most people with diabetes. Try not to be hard on yourself if you cannot immediately achieve these numbers: It can take some time to achieve this level of control.
- Print these Instructions for future reference.
- After downloading the Daily Journal, photocopy the page multiple times.
- Write the day and date in the spaces provided on the top of the page.
- Find the time of the entry you are making. Test your blood glucose, and enter the value in the space labeled BLOOD GLUCOSE.
- If you are eating at this time, write the grams of carbohydrates in the space labeled CARBOHYDRATES.
- If you are taking a correction and/or meal bolus, record it in the space labeled MEAL BOLUS and/or CORRECTION BOLUS. Even if you have added these together to take one bolus, write the separate amounts in the corresponding spaces.
- Record your basal rate in the space labeled BASAL RATE. If you have more than one rate, be sure to record the rate in the space corresponding to the correct time for each rate.
- When you exercise, write the minutes in the space labeled EXERCISE.
- If you test your urine ketones, write the result in the space labeled URINE KETONES. Each time you test your ketones, write the result even if it is negative.
- Record the time you change your infusion set in the space labeled SET CHANGE. This notation will help you to evaluate any changes in your blood glucose readings due to changing your infusion set.
- Record the food you eat in the BREAKFAST, LUNCH and DINNER columns provided.
- In the NOTES section, write down any information that may explain your blood glucose values or diabetes management decisions. Use this section as you would a personal journal.
Information on this site should not be used as a subsitute for talking to your doctor.
