JOHN XXIII COLLEGE

Guidelines For The Management Of Diabetes(updated 2009) 

Rationale

The College has a duty of care to provide a safe, healthy and supportive  environment for all staff and students.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious medical condition where blood glucose levels persistently rise above normal. It is permanent disorder with no cure. There are two main types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes): This is the form of diabetes, which usually occurs in childhood. Type 1 diabetes is due to a severe deficiency of insulin and is fatal without life-long insulin injections.
• Type 2 Diabetes occurs in adults (usually over 40 years).It may be accelerated by lifestyle factors (obesity, lack of exercise, overeating) and is treated by weight control, a food plan, exercise, tablets and occasionally insulin injections.

Treatment

Most of the children and young adults who attend the Princess Margaret Hospital diabetes service are treated for Type 1 diabetes.

The control of this type of diabetes depends on balancing the effects on the blood glucose of:   

• Injected Insulin or insulin pump
• Regular pattern of snacks and meals
• Exercise

Role of the College

• Parents complete and sign Medical Information on their child/ren at enrolment or as part of regular health updates. Where parent/carer has completed that their child has Diabetes, a meeting should be organised with parent.
• Meet with the parent/carer to discuss child’s management and treatment of Diabetes. Parent given Diabetes information package.
• Parent to complete Diabetes Information Form, some parents may submit a management plan for their child.
• If parent requests glucagon be administered to their child, a signed letter from doctor must be given to the nurse.
• Ensure staff are informed of child with Diabetes and information on management and treatment of Diabetes is given to staff. Relevant staff to attend information seminars on Diabetes at Princess Margaret hospital.
• Ensure staff inform relief staff of student with Diabetes.
• John XXIII College follows the Management of Diabetes at School by Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology ( Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, WA).
• John XXIII College follows the Management of Children & Adolescents on Insulin Pumps at school by Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology ( Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, WA).
• Glucose tablets are kept in sports first aid kits, pool first aid kit, student reception, duty belt bags, evacuation first aid kits, excursion kits, camp kits, canteen, cooking dept,  library, health centre.
• The Health Centre has supplies of lemonade, glucose tablets, muesli bars, glucagon, blood glucose meter and ketone sticks.
• Ensure staff consider the needs of the child with Diabetes before planning class parties, excursions, camps, exams and sporting activities.
• Child with Diabetes should carry their own supply of ‘hypo’ food at all times .If age appropriate and able, students should measure their own blood glucose level and manage their insulin injections  or insulin pump.
• The college nurse takes no responsibility for administering insulin to a child. Parent will be contacted if need.
• Child with Diabetes should wear a medic alert bracelet/necklet.
• Ensure adequate staff have a current First Aid qualification and follow first aid procedures for Diabetes management. 
• The student with diabetes should never be sent to the Health Centre alone or left unattended when feeling unwell or showing signs of hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose level – “hypo”).
• If vomiting is present contact parent/carer immediately.
• Inform parent/carer when child is unwell.
• Staff are advised on how to address the possible negative impacts of social or emotional responses of other students to child with Diabetes. This may include teasing, bullying or daring a student to take health risks.

Role of Parent and student

• Parents/carers are responsible for the provision of accurate, up to date health information about their child. Parents/carers complete and sign a medical information form on enrolment or as part of regular health updates.
• Discuss child’s Diabetes management and treatment with staff.
• Provide Glucagon with Doctors letter to College nurse.
• Parent/carer should educate their child to manage their Diabetes at school and seek help if unwell.
• Parent/carer should ensure their child has ‘hypo’ kit with them at all times.
• Students must carry hypo Kit on them at all times.
• Students must attend nurse if feeling unwell.
• Parent/carer should obtain a medic alert bracelet/necklet for their child to wear.
• Parent/carer should keep their child at home if he/she is not well enough to attend school.

References

Management of Diabetes at School – Department of Diabetes & Endocrinology  Princess Margaret Hospital for Children Perth, WA

Health & Safety Policy First Aid -  ACT Education and Training – www.det.act.gov.au/policies