The AADE has endorsed the following principles to ensure diabetes is properly managed whenever a child with diabetes is present at school or a school-related activity. All school staff members who have responsibility for a student with diabetes should receive training that provides a basic understanding of the disease and the student’s needs, how to identify medical emergencies, and which school staff members to contact with questions or in case of an emergency.
- The school nurse holds a primary role of coordinating, monitoring, and supervising the care of a student with diabetes. However, in addition to any full- or part-time school nurse, a small group of school staff members should receive training from a qualified health care professional in routine and emergency diabetes care so that a staff member is always available for younger or less-experienced students who require assistance with their diabetes management (e.g., administering insulin, checking their blood glucose, choosing appropriate food) and for all students with diabetes in case of an emergency (including administration of glucagon). These staff members should be school personnel who have volunteered to do these tasks and do not need to be health care professionals.
- Children possessing the necessary skills and maturity to do so should be permitted to self-manage their disease in the classroom or wherever they are in conjunction with a school related activity. Such self-management should include monitoring blood glucose and responding to blood glucose levels with needed food and medication while utilizing appropriate safety protocols.
The American Association of Diabetes Educators:
While supporting the need for more school nurses in our schools, believes it is neither safe nor practical to rely only on school nurses to provide diabetes care at school and school sponsored activities.
Recognizes that students with diabetes need a plan for effective diabetes management during the many hours they spend at school and school-related activities. Today most schools do not have a full time nurse and some have no nurse at all.
Understands even a full time school nurse would not be available at all times including field trips and extracurricular activities or when tending to another emergency – yet diabetes care must always be available for students with diabetes to fully and safely participate in school and school related activities.
