Diabetic student

[littleINlpn]

I have a student that recently was diagnosed with diabetes. I work part time and I worry about staff not knowing what to do in an emergency when I am not there. Any tips for me to give to the staff? I have some information from American Diabetes Association (which was pretty helpful). Do any of you have diabetic students? Any help or information would be fabulous! Thank you :)

[GdBSN, RN]

Our district uses DiabetesHarbor.com, training for unlicensed personnel. It is a great resource. Hope you find this helpful.

[Windchaser22]

Look first to your state statute about what legally can be done by unlicensed personnel. In NJ, unlicensed personnel can only give epi or glucagon and then only if they've been appropriately trained. We also have to have an IHP and an IEHP in place that outlines care steps.

[jhlpn]

I have 5 diabetic students. The whole building has been trained on how to use a glucagon. Do I trust these trained people alone with my diabetics.. No,I do not. Should I have to be absent I would assure my super or another sub nurse would fill in for me. What age is this child?

[OldDude]

Keep staff intervention as simple as possible until trained personnel arrive. 911 if the kid isn't responsive - otherwise, instead of having them try to figure it out instruct them to give carbs - glucose tabs, glucose paste, coke, orange juice, whatever. If the kid is hypoglycemic this is the correct intervention - if the kid is hyperglycemic the extra carbs won't make that big a difference. Whoever takes over treatment can sort it out.

[BeckyESRN]

I always tell my teachers; If the kid is "feeling low" never ever let him walk to the nurse's office alone!

[littleINlpn]

She is a 6th grader. We have a staff member who is familiar with it all because her brother was diabetic, makes me feel a little better. There was an incident this morning and I feel they did a great job with handling it, my worries have gone down.

[jhlpn]

I am glad your worries are gone. I was at the ER with another student and my staff was calling the ER. When are you coming back, we have an issue with one of the diabetics. Want me to send the resource officer after you?

She is a 6th grader. We have a staff member who is familiar with it all because her brother was diabetic, makes me feel a little better. There was an incident this morning and I feel they did a great job with handling it, my worries have gone down.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Late to the thread, but I have used this resource when it comes to training unlicensed personal about diabetes care (I train a couple of teachers each year to handle field trips as I can't always go and/or get a sub to go):

Diabetes Care Tasks at School: What Key Personnel Need to Know: American Diabetes Association®