Type 1 Diabetes Prevention Trial (INIT II) - Stop Diabetes in 2013

2013 marks the final year of recruitment for the Type 1 Diabetes Prevention Trial (INIT II).

If you or your family have ever considered participating in the trial NOW is the time. All it takes is a simple blood test at a local pathology centre to find out if you are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes. 98% of people are reassured that their risk is low. In the 2% of people in whom the test shows a high risk for type 1 diabetes, a nasal spray vaccine taken once a week for a year is being tested.

For more information go to: www.stopdiabetes.com.au or contact Claire Wolczak at the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre in Sydney on (02) 9295-8359 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The trial is managed by the Diabetes Vaccine Development Centre and is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and JDRF.

Downloads

Mail Letter

Safety notice for Medtronic Paradigm IPC

Medtronic after consultation with the TGA (TGA Ref# RC-2013-RN-00587-1), is initiating a voluntary "Recall for Product Notification" for the above mentioned devices.

The purpose of this letter is to notify you that Medtronic Diabetes has become aware of a potential safety issue that can occur if insulin or other fluids come in contact with the inside of the connector on Medtronic Paradigm infusion sets. This letter also provides information that will allow you to prevent this from occurring.

Note: There is no action required on your part apart from returning the completed acknowledgement of receipt for the notification.

Exposure of the inside of the infusion set connector to fluid is most likely to occur if insulin is spilled on the top of the insulin reservoir when the reservoir is removed from the transfer guard after filling the reservoir from a vial of insulin. If this occurs, the insulin can temporarily block the vents in the connector that allow the pump to properly prime. If these vents are blocked, this can potentially result in too much or too little insulin being delivered, which may cause hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, which, in extreme cases, may cause loss of consciousness or death.

The information in this letter applies to all Medtronic infusion sets designed for use with Medtronic Paradigm family infusion pumps. The specific model numbers affected are MMT-317, MMT-318, MMT-324, MMT-325, MMT-312S, MMT-312L, MMT-386, MMT-387, MMT-394, MMT-396, MMT-397, MMT-398, MMT-399, MMT-377, MMT-378, MMT-381, MMT-382, MMT-383, MMT-384, MMT-368, MMT-862, MMT-864, MMT-866, MMT-874, MMT-876, MMT-884, MMT-886, MMT-921, MMT-923, MMT-925, MMT-941, MMT-943, MMT-945, MMT-961, MMT-963, MMT-965, & MMT-975.

Please note that the potential for temporary blocking of the infusion set vents can be avoided by not allowing liquid to make contact with the inside of the tubing connector and following the recommended reservoir filling procedure with careful attention to the information provided below.

To prevent fluid from blocking the connector vents:

1. After filling the reservoir, make sure the vial of insulin is held upright when removing the reservoir from the blue transfer guard. This prevents insulin from accidentally getting on the top of the reservoir, which could transfer liquid into the tubing connector.

2. If any liquid (such as insulin, isopropyl alcohol, or water) gets on the top of the reservoir or inside the tubing connector, start over with a new reservoir and infusion set.

How to recognise that the infusion set vents may be blocked

If you notice anything unusual during the infusion set prime process such as the insulin continuing to drip from the infusion set cannula when the manual prime has been completed, this may indicate that the connector vents are not working properly. If this occurs, do not insert the infusion set and call the Helpline immediately for additional assistance.

In addition to providing this communication to current users of Medtronic Paradigm insulin pumps, Medtronic are also updating the instructions for use to include this information on how to avoid temporary blocking of the infusion set vent membranes due to exposure to fluid.

Medtronic have notified your healthcare professional about this potential safety issue and are there to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free to contact their 24 Hour Helpline at 1800 777 808, option 1, if you would like more information.

Young Leaders Program

Diabetes Australia (DA) wants to find 100 young people (aged 15 – 29 years) from all over Australia to help develop and shape the future of young people living with diabetes in Australia.

Applications are now open, visit the DA website for more information.

Workshop for people with diabetes aged 18-25 years

We need your help!

We are planning a workshop for 18-25 year olds living with diabetes. The aim of this workshop is to cover areas of interest such as travelling with diabetes, managing exercise, managing diabetes in the workplace and transitioning smoothly to adult care. To ensure people are interested in this workshop and determine how this workshop should be facilitated we need YOUR input!

Please complete the brief (5 minute) survey via this survey monkey link.

We appreciate your time as without your input we cannot develop these events effectively.

NDSS Annual Survey

During May and June 2013, Diabetes Australia is undertaking the annual survey of people registered on the NDSS. The survey is being conducted online and through telephone interviews by TNS Social Research.

The survey is not diabetes research, it is a customer satisfaction survey and Diabetes Australia will use the information from the survey to provide improved NDSS services for people with diabetes in the future.

Your opinion is highly valued and if you are contacted your participation would be greatly appreciated. All responses to the survey are confidential.

Recall for Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump

Health professionals and consumers are advised that Medtronic, in consultation with the TGA, has issued information regarding three potential but rare issues with its Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump. Please click here for letter with details. Please note that these issues are rare and it is unlikely that you will need to replace your Medtronic Paradigm Insulin Pump.

If you suspect there is an issue then we advise you to contact the Medtronic 24 hour Helpline on 1800 777 808, option 1.