Insulin Pumps: What Every School Nurse Needs to Know

Abstract

The results of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial revolutionized the care of people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). The era of “tight control” of blood sugars to decrease microvascular complications dawned. The subsequent technological development of insulin pumps has made it possible for individuals with Type 1 DM, as well as those with Type 2 who are insulin dependent, to keep their blood sugars in a more normal range. Children of all ages with Type 1 DM have been switching from multiple daily injections of insulin to insulin pumps. School nurses who have not had a child with a pump certainly will in the near future. It is important for school nurses to understand the function and possible complications of using an insulin pump to assist and support children in their transition to pump therapy. School nurses need to be aware of available technical support resources for insulin pumps should problems arise at school with pump management.