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Diabetes teaching resources for school staff

The Starship Diabetes team have developed a short 30 minute video as an educational resource for schools to increase their knowledge about the management of children/young people with diabetes in the school setting. There are three additional videos available that provide more detailed information on how to give insulin using an insulin pen, and how insulin pumps work.

Currently the two funded insulin pumps in New Zealand are:

  • The YpsoPump with the CamAPS FX algorithm for automated insulin delivery (AID)

  • The Tandem t:slim pump with the Control-IQ algorithm for AID

Some families choose to self-fund other AID pump systems, such as the Medtronic pump, Medtrum Nano, or Omnipod patch pump. While families will share specific information about these systems, the core principles of how they work is similar.

For more information on insulin regimens and pumps - see https://starship.org.nz/insulin-types-and-regimens

Returning to school following a diagnosis of diabetes can be an anxious time for both families and school staff. Successfully managing a child/young person's diabetes while they are at school involves understanding what diabetes is, how it is managed, and putting together a plan so that a child/young person can be safely supported to participate fully in school life. Information on school action and management plans can be found here.

The following video was designed to be used by:

  • individual teachers and staff prior to a student with diabetes returning to school or moving classes each academic year

  • PHN or school nurses on teaching training days to upskill the wider staff

  • During a lunchtime session

While it has been designed as a total 30 minute education package, there are 'chapter timings' in the description field below the video, that can take you directly to a particular topic.

This video is designed as a total resource package and is 30 minutes long. However timings below allow you to go directly to a particular section of the video

What is diabetes? 00:51

Understanding initial feelings and concerns 04:31

Blood glucose monitoring 06:59

What is hypoglycaemia? 07:38

Treating a 'hypo' or low blood glucose level 09:11

Severe hypoglycaemia 13:12

Hyperglycaemia or high blood glucose 14:26

Diabetes, sport and exercise 16:39

School camps and day trips 18:32

Diabetes action and management plans 21:18

Insulin administration 23:57 

Diabetes and food 24:24

Sick days 26:00Ketones 26:32Young people with diabetes and exams 28:04
Resources and web links 29:09  

Click here to view a transcript of the video

Using an insulin pen

Insulin is most commonly initially given with an insulin pen device. Most commonly used pen devices are as below (instructions for use linked):

Information on correction factors and carb ratios can be downloaded here.

How insulin pumps work

 

Using a Ypso insulin pump

Helpful links on using the Ypso insulin pump:

 

Using a Tandem t-slim insulin pump

Other helpful resources include:

Additional resources