non compliant diabetic family

[IrishFLRN]

I have a new juvenile diabetic at the private school where I am the only school nurse. I am new to school nursing. I am in touch with the county health nurses about this, but would like more suggestions. This is the third school in as many years for this child for the very things that I am encountering now.

She is 11 and was dx'd when a toddler. Her mom is young 30's divorced, with a new boyfriend, is a sales rep who doesn't always answer her phone or return messages.

The child carries her "bag" which half the time doesn't have a carb source, expired glucagon (2 years ago!!!) , no cake gel, sometimes no money for lunch. I have started buying things to stock the clinic for her. Several notes /calls to mom concerning this. Still hasn't filled out the emergency card w/ dr. name etc. on it. Says she has an appt with him in a few weeks. Have given ther the medical health care plan w/ protocols specific for this child for DR. to fill out. HAve spoken w/ principal and ast. prin. about this and if nothing is corrected after the dr. meeting, they will tell mom that child is not allowed back to school until everythin is up to date. have given instructions to all her teachers, coaches, etc. for s/s of hypo/hyperglycemia and instructions to call 911 if she does passout.

I am at my wits end!

Any suggestions???????

[bergren]

Did you get the records forwarded from the previous school? What do they tell you? You may at least have a doctor's order that can cover you and shed some light. FERPA allows those records to be shared with your school without mother's consent. You can call that school, FERPA would allow them to share information with you, but you cannot share information about the current situation with them other than to say you need information. The FERPA exception for parental consent only goes one way.

It sounds like a lot of things might be going on: mom overwhelmed and depressed and not fully understanding the dangers of diabetes = neglect.

How is the little girl handling this transition?? This must be tough for her to start a new school and hav e everyone miffed at her mom.

[frann]

After 4 years of dealing with this D thing, I think I have finally got the beginning of year paperwork down. maybe you can offer my method to this mom.

I just filled out everything this year and left the dates blank, made copy as my master to keep then I fax that one out to the docs and emailed a letter out to all my dd's teachers.

I don't really understand her not bringing in her supplies. maybe her insurance is terrible? I wasn't able to bring my insulin in until I can get a refill in week or so. Some of my friends have to pay over 100 for glucagon refills , mine are free.

Did she just move to your area? could you ask one of your other diabetic moms to befriend her? In my area we try to keep a network of us moms/kids together. and we do share between us. I usually tell my school nurse that if there is a new dx or old she can give my number to them and they can call me.

crap gotta go to work

[bergren]

"could you ask one of your other diabetic moms to befriend her? In my area we try to keep a network of us moms/kids together"

Good idea, but be careful. You need written consent to share a child's diagnosis with anyone outside the school, including other parents who have a child with diabetes. You cannot even include a child in a diagnosis related support group with other students with the same diagnosis - asthma, diabetes etc, without a parent written consent because it reveals personally identifiable health information to those without a "legitimate educational interest". Makes putting together support groups tricky.