5330.02 - CARE OF STUDENTS WITH DIABETES

A diabetes management and treatment plan shall be prepared and implemented for a student with diabetes for use during school hours or at a school-related event or activity. The plan shall be developed by:

1. the licensed health care practitioner responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment; and

2. the student’s parent/legal guardian.

A diabetes management and treatment plan shall:

1. identify the health care services or procedures the student should receive at school;

2. evaluate the student’s ability to manage and level of understanding of his/her diabetes;

3. be signed by the student’s parent/legal guardian and the licensed health care practitioner responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment.

The parent/legal guardian of a student with diabetes shall submit a copy of the student’s diabetes management and treatment plan to the school nurse for review:

1. before or at the beginning of a school year;

2. at the time the student enrolls, if the student is enrolled in school after the beginning of a school year; or

3. as soon as practicable following a diagnosis of diabetes for the student.

An individualized health plan ("IHP") shall be developed for each student with diabetes while the student is at school or participating in a school activity. The school’s nurse shall develop a student’s IHP in collaboration with:

1. the licensed health care practitioner responsible for the student’s diabetes treatment to the extent practicable;

2. the school principal;

3. the student’s parent/legal guardian;

4. one (1) or more of the student’s teachers.

A student’s IHP shall incorporate the components of the student’s diabetes management and treatment plan.

As provided in a student’s IHP, a school shall, except in an emergency, allow the student to attend to the management and care of the student’s diabetes if the student has been evaluated and determined to be capable of doing so as reflected in the student’s IHP and the student’s diabetes management and treatment plan, including the following activities:

1. performing blood glucose level checks
     
2. administering insulin through the insulin delivery system the student uses
     
3. treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
     
4. possessing on the student’s person at any time the supplies or equipment necessary to monitor and care for the student’s diabetes
     
5. otherwise attending to the management and care of the student’s diabetes in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school-related activity

The school nurse shall establish a procedure through which the student is cared for in an emergency.

The Board is not liable for civil damages as a result of a student’s self-administration of medication for an acute or chronic disease or medical condition except for an act or omission amounting to gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct.

“Volunteer health aides” are school employees who are not licensed or authorized to provide health care services under State law, volunteer to act in the capacity of a volunteer health aide, and have successfully completed the training of volunteer health aides by a health care professional with expertise in the care of individuals with diabetes or by the school nurse.

The school nurse shall coordinate the training of school employees serving as volunteer health aides using a training program approved by the State Department of Education and the record keeping and monitoring of volunteer health aides. Training of volunteer health aides must be provided by a health care professional with expertise in the care of individuals with diabetes or by the school nurse. The training must include the following:

1. implementing the orders of a licensed health care practitioner;
2. recognizing and treating the symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia consistent with the orders of the licensed health care practitioner;
3. performing tests to check glucose and ketone levels, and recording the results;
4. properly administering glucagon, insulin, or other emergency treatments as prescribed, and recording the results;
5. recognizing complications that require emergency medical assistance;
6. understanding:
    
   1. recommended schedules and food intake for meals and snacks;
   2. the effect of physical activity on blood glucose levels; and
   3. the proper action to be taken if a student’s schedule is disrupted.

The training must be provided before the beginning of the school year or as soon as practicable following 1) the enrollment, or 2) the diagnosis of a student with diabetes at a school that previously had no students with diabetes. The school nurse or principal shall maintain a copy of the training program and the records of training completed by school employees.

The school nurse shall perform the tasks necessary to assist a student in carrying out the student’s IHP. When necessary, a volunteer health aide may perform the tasks necessary to assist a student in carrying out the student’s IHP, in compliance with the training guidelines. The volunteer health aide may do so only if the parent or legal guardian of the student signs an agreement that:

1. authorizes a volunteer health aide to assist the student; and
2. states that the parent or legal guardian understands that, as provided under I.C. 34-30-14, a volunteer health aide is not liable for civil damages for assisting in the student’s care.

A volunteer health aide who assists a student under this policy:

1. is not considered to be engaging in the practice of nursing; and
2. is exempt from applicable statutes and rules that restrict activities that may be performed by an individual who is not an individual licensed or authorized under State law to provide health care services.

The Corporation shall not restrict the assignment of a student to a particular school on the sole basis of whether the school has volunteer health aides.

Revised 8/15/19

© Neola 2019