Diabetes medication and equipment

Taking into account what is reasonable and safe in an individual case, schools are expected to support students to develop independence in managing their own health.

Most students can prick their own finger and measure their blood glucose level (BGL) using their own blood glucose meter. Wherever possible a student should be allowed to test in class to avoid walking to the administration office when their BGL might be dropping as this increases the risk of a mild hypo progressing to a severe hypo. This also means students don't miss class work and their class peers can become aware and used to what is involved in looking after diabetes.

Classroom teachers can volunteer to assist students with the specific health care procedures associated with diabetes eg blood glucose testing, and in these circumstances they should receive training in these specific health care procedures. If it is not possible for blood glucose testing to occur in the student's classroom, strategies should be implemented to minimise potential risks. This could include, locating the student's class in a room close to the office or arranging for trained staff to come to the student's classroom at agreed times to assist and/or perform the blood glucose testing.

Younger students will require a higher level of support and assistance with blood glucose testing and administration of insulin than older and more mature students. Additional information regarding a decision to allow a student to self-medicate is available and principals may wish to seek medical advice from the student's diabetes team on this issue.

Where students self-administer insulin, consideration needs to be given to providing an appropriate place that they can access easily, is discreet, gives the student privacy and that allows for adequate supervision.

High school students can be given greater flexibility to carry their equipment and administer their insulin in the classroom or playground as a normal part of their diabetes care, without causing disruption to class or meal break times.

Infants students will require help with blood glucose monitoring and if using an insulin pump will require assistance from school staff at each meal beak to help enter information into the pump. Primary and high school students are usually independent in managing their insulin pump.

It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that all diabetes equipment is prepared and ready for use each school day. This includes setting the lancet or needle in the blood glucose testing and/or insulin delivery device. The student's individual health care plan should document an agreed procedure for managing the remote possibility of a needle or lancet coming loose from a device. School staff should not be required to change lancets or needles on devices. The student's parent should be contacted to come to the school and do this and the health care plan followed.

It is important that accurate daily records are kept of BGL readings and administration of insulin. A communication diary can be useful for primary school students.

It is important that staff and students protect themselves from infection. Staff assisting students with blood glucose testing and the administration of insulin should follow the Standard Precautions for Infection Control (intranet only).

A procedure for the disposal of needles or lancets should be negotiated between the parent and school as part of the student's individual health care plan. Students can either take their sharps home in order to dispose of them or an approved and appropriate sharps container can be provided at the school.

Information about hygiene, infection control, safe handling and disposal of sharps and the safe handling and disposal of contaminated waste can be accessed from the Department's Infection Control Guidelines (intranet only).

Acknowledgement: These materials have been put together with assistance from Australian Diabetes Council.