Families of California children with insulin dependent diabetes were frustrated and angry over a California Superior Court ruling that eliminated a long sought provision allowing trained non-licensed school staff to administer insulin when a school nurse is not available.
Those whose school does not employ a full-time nurse may find their child must go without care or transfer to another school to receive support previously provided on their home campus. Parents who have chosen to homeschool their children with diabetes across the USA have often cited dissatisfaction with support for health and safety needs of students in public schools. Those who must remain employed so their children have healthcare coverage had celebrated the 2007 provision that promised support for students in California schools, where fewer than a third of the campuses have a nurse on the grounds each day.
This ruling is a blow to families of children already challenged by the serious dangers and drawbacks of diabetes, who are best served in schools in their own neighborhoods where many individuals are familiar with and competent in basic diabetes care.
Even in schools with a nurse available, crisis situations require too quick a response to severe low blood sugar incidents (that require the opposite of insulin) to rely only on one individual. Having non-nursing staff respond to a dangerous situation (low or extremely high blood sugar) before it becomes a crisis can avoid serious health consequences.
There should be a school nurse on every campus, but the school nursing shortage and budget shortfalls that eliminate school nurse positions have reduced nurse coverage in just about every district. First responders who answer 911 calls are not usually allowed to provide emergency diabetes care and a crisis situation can deteriorate quickly while waiting for paramedics who can.
Even trained nurses sometimes make mistakes administering insulin to children with diabetes, or in judging the seriousness of a crisis situation, and avoiding or responding to one. Staff who have more contact with individual students are often better able to recognize unusual behavior or other symptoms of health problems related to diabetes.
Families of students with insulin dependent diabetes learn to recognize symptoms, figure out insulin doses and meal plans, and how to to avoid, reduce and deal with emergency situations. Diabetes professionals with extensive training and current practice in managing diabetes are confident that non-medical staff and volunteers can be trained to support students with diabetes at school.
During a lock down, school violence event, weather emergency or other natural disaster, school staff are the only resources students with diabetes can rely upon to support their medical needs. If a nurse is not available, out sick that day, or has not returned from a lunch break or errand, trained staff should be available to support students with diabetes.
Type One diabetes, also known as childhood-onset, insulin dependent, or juvenile diabetes, is caused by the loss of the body's ability to produce insulin and is not related to obesity. Type Two diabetes may be treated with medications that combat insulin resistance, and weight loss often reduces or eliminates the need for medication. Children with insulin dependent diabetes (Type One) will need insulin injections every day for the rest of their lives.
Children with diabetes face many dangers related to type one diabetes. Included is the immediate short term danger due to low blood sugar caused by unexpected or vigorous exercise, delayed snacks or meals, or other factors, that can cause seizures, 'fight or flight' reactions, coma and worse.
Other risks are from high blood sugar, caused by insufficient insulin, delayed injection, unplanned or high calorie snacks or meals, illness and stress. Both short and long term dangers can be devastating to individuals. Children with developmental disabilities who have a dual diagnosis of Type One diabetes are more vulnerable and benefit greatly when neighbors and neighborhood school staff are knowledgeable about and competent at diabetes care.
Thousands of students with type one diabetes live fit and healthy lives with small accommodations and support for their individual special needs. Diabetes professionals, advocates and researchers support the civil rights of students with insulin dependent diabetes.
Browse at your local bookstore, public library or online retailer for more information on diabetes care at school
Nurses' argument on insulin is balderdash
http://www.insidebayarea.com/opinion/ci_11273069
Dr. Francine Kaufman, Director
Comprehensive Childhood Diabetes Center
Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
Former President of the American Diabetes Association
http://url.childrenwithdiabetes.com/?u=11527
Statement From the American Diabetes Association on
Court Ruling to Deny Care to Children With Diabetes
http://www.diabetes.org/for-media/pr-california-ruling-1108.jsp
Court ruling marks shift in treatment
of Calif. schoolchildren with diabetes
http://www.ajc.com/hp/content/health/stories/2008/11/17/ruling_diabetic_students.html
California School Nurse Associations Jeopardize Diabetes Care Ruling
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0j_32l.htm
Type One Diabetes - Juvenile Diabetes, Childhood Onset T1D
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32541.asp
Browse at your local bookstore, public library, or online retailer for books on raising children with diabetes
.Disability Advocacy and Awareness
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art9507.asp
Down Syndrome and Diabetes Dual Diagnosis
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art32543.asp
Pain Relief for Childhood Blood Draws, Injections or IV Lines
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51944.asp
Pain Management for Children
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51895.asp
Asking More from Medical Professionals
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art39121.asp
