DIABETES CARE TASKS AT SCHOOL: What Key Personnel Need to Know

DIABETES CARE TASKS AT SCHOOL: What Key Personnel Need to Know DIABETES BASICS 1-800-DIABETES www.diabetes.org

Goal: Optimal Student Health and Learning All school staff members should have basic knowledge of diabetes and know who to contact for help. 1-800-DIABETES 2 www.diabetes.org

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to understand: What is diabetes? Why care at school is required Basic components of diabetes care at school Short and long term consequences of diabetes 1-800-DIABETES 3 www.diabetes.org

What is Diabetes? In diabetes: Body does not make or properly use insulin Insulin is needed to: Move glucose from blood into cells for energy If insulin isn’t working, high blood glucose results: Energy levels are low Dehydration Complications 1-800-DIABETES 4 www.diabetes.org

Type 1 Diabetes Autoimmune disorder Insulin-producing cells destroyed Daily insulin replacement necessary Age of onset: usually childhood, young adulthood Most common type of diabetes in children and adolescents 1-800-DIABETES 5 www.diabetes.org

Type 1 Diabetes ONSET: SYMPTOMS: CAUSE: 1-800-DIABETES relatively quick increased thirst increased urination hunger tiredness dry skin weight loss blurred vision uncertain, both genetic and environmental factors 6 www.diabetes.org

Type 2 Diabetes Insulin resistance – first step Age at onset: Most common in adults Increasingly common in youth 1-800-DIABETES overweight inactivity genes ethnicity 7 www.diabetes.org

Type 2 Diabetes ONSET: SYMPTOMS: 1-800-DIABETES variable timeframe for children tired, thirsty, hunger, increased urination some children show no symptoms at diagnosis others are symptomatic with very high blood glucose levels 8 www.diabetes.org

Diabetes is Managed, But it Does Not Go Away. GOAL: Maintain target blood glucose 1-800-DIABETES 9 www.diabetes.org

Diabetes Management Constant Juggling - 24/7 Insulin/ medication BG with: Physical activity BG and Food intake BG 1-800-DIABETES 10 www.diabetes.org

Diabetes Management Routine Care: Many students will be able to handle all or almost all routine diabetes care by themselves Some students will need school staff to perform or assist with routine diabetes care Emergency Care: ALL students with diabetes will need help in the event of an emergency situation 1-800-DIABETES 11 www.diabetes.org

Care in the Schools: School Nurses and Others A School nurse is most appropriate to: Coordinate diabetes care Supervise diabetes care Provide direct care (when available) Communicate about health concerns to parent/guardian and health care team However, a school nurse is not always available. Non-medical school staff can be trained to assist students: For both routine and emergency care Including insulin and glucagon administration 1-800-DIABETES 12 www.diabetes.org

Diabetes Medical Management Plan (DMMP) Basis for all school-based diabetes care plans Developed by student’s personal health care team and parent/guardian Signed by a member of student’s personal health care team Individualized Implemented collaboratively by the school diabetes team: 1-800-DIABETES School nurse Student Parent/guardian Other school personnel 13 www.diabetes.org

Where to Get More Information American Diabetes Association 1-800- DIABETES www.diabetes.org National Diabetes Education Program/NIH www.ndep.nih.gov 1-800-DIABETES 14 www.diabetes.org