[bergren]

Teacher mistakes insulin pump for cell phone

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published by news-press.com on October 5, 2005

CLERMONT — A substitute teacher pulled out a student’s insulin pump after mistaking it for a cell phone, officials said. Cliffton Hassam told East Ridge High School officials that his insulin pump began beeping in class Friday

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs..../51005005/1075

[traumaRUs]

How awful! I know though that in the high school where my husband teaches, the teaches do confiscate cell phones. However, my husband would never touch a student nor try to grab something out of their hands - they are expected to hand it to the teacher as requested. Ouch!

[Rohan]

That poor kid!

[sirI]

Originally Posted by bergren

Teacher mistakes insulin pump for cell phone

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published by news-press.com on October 5, 2005

CLERMONT — A substitute teacher pulled out a student’s insulin pump after mistaking it for a cell phone, officials said. Cliffton Hassam told East Ridge High School officials that his insulin pump began beeping in class Friday
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs..../51005005/1075

This is so horrible. I cannot imagine what went through that nurses mind.

I can see the lawyers lining up for this.........

[bergren]

Eagle Ridge High School has 7 assistant prinicpals, and no school nurse ther is a "clerk" in the clinic. http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/school-erh/

In another article I read the nmother has pressed assault charges and is suing the district.

Originally Posted by siri

This is so horrible. I cannot imagine what went through that nurses mind.

I can see the lawyers lining up for this.........

[sirI]

Originally Posted by bergren

Eagle Ridge High School has 7 assistant prinicpals, and no school nurse ther is a "clerk" in the clinic. http://www.lake.k12.fl.us/school-erh/

In another article I read the nmother has pressed assault charges and is suing the district.

OMG!!!!

Well, IMHO, the school district was a liability. I cannot blame the mother in the least........

[MarySunshine]

I certainly see that the teacher was wrong and terribly agressive to do this, but I'm not sure if I understand the medical implications for the student. Does the insulin pump have to be placed by a health care provider? Why was his blood sugar out of whack?

[SMK1]

As no permanent harm can be proven here, i doubt very much that she has a case against the school district. The school district did the correct thig in terminating the teacher, but she deserves ZERO money from the school. She certainly would be within her rights to try to file an assault charge against the teacher for the teacher putting her hands on the student, however that probably legally wouldn't fly either. She and her soon to ber lawyer will be hoping that they get a quick settlement and not actually have to go to court. The teacher was wrong and was fired, the student was fine, that should be the end of the story as far as the school is concerned. If the student sustained provable damage, or it cost the parents money for the doctors visit and a new insulin pump, then there is a different story. That teacher is a jerk and should have their teaching license suspended.

[sjb2005]

I'm surprised the teacher was not aware of the student's diabetes or that he wore a pump. Our school district informs teachers about students who may need medical attention based on the health of the child.
Who do you fault, the teacher who did not know or the parents, school nurse or even the student who did not let others know the situation. Pumpers can have immediate extremes in hypo/hyperglycemia. A pumper has to be prepared in case the delivery of insulin is impaired.
I know.
PUMPING GOR OVER 10 YEARS AND MY SON FOR 2.

[sjb2005]

The type of pump the student had is an external pump. The pump is managed by the pumper. It is inserted via needle with a device and then the needle is removed and a small canula is left in the subq tissue. I am surprised it took the weekend for this student to get his blood sugars under control. If he was prepared, he could have reinserted new tubing or survived on injected insulin until he could access his supplies.

Originally Posted by MarySunshine

I certainly see that the teacher was wrong and terribly agressive to do this, but I'm not sure if I understand the medical implications for the student. Does the insulin pump have to be placed by a health care provider? Why was his blood sugar out of whack?