217024 Caring for Students with Diabetes at School in Colorado - The School Nurse Voice from the Field

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 12:45 PM - 1:00 PM

Nichole K. Bobo, RN, MSN , National Association of School Nurses, Silver Spring, MD
     
Background Standardized care for students with diabetes across the state has been the goal of the Colorado Diabetes Collaborative - stakeholders in pediatric diabetes formed in 2005. Standardized forms were developed; roles clarified for the school, family and healthcare providers; information for parents developed; a dedicated website created; statewide trainings provided; and the Diabetes Resource Nurse Program was implemented to serve as a school nurse resource.

Purpose Advances in diabetes care have significantly changed diabetes management. Parents voice concerns about leaving their child at school. The school nurse needs resources to keep pace with changes in standards of care. With training programming in place, periodic evaluation is needed to ensure practice goals are being met.

Significance The school nurse is in a critical position to ensure safe and effective diabetes management at school. Identifying practice concerns and needed resources targets programming to support the school nurse in this role.

Methodology The National Association of School Nurses in partnership with the Minnesota Institute of Public Health conducted an online survey of school nurses comparing results from two previously years.

Findings/Results Comparison findings describe the Colorado school nurse level of experience, student caseload, current diabetes management practices, and training resources needed.

Conclusions/Recommendations Results provide insight into the effectiveness of current diabetes training for school nurses, and provide guidance for changes needed to fully implement standardized diabetes management in schools.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Identify three areas of school nursing practice related to diabetes management at school that have improved since programming has been in place directed by the Colorado Diabetes Collaborative.

Keywords: Diabetes, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Project manager for a CDC/NDEP funded project that included implementing a diabetes management model in Colorado including oversight of the program evaluation.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5188.0: Diabetes and the school age child: The Colorado approach