Individual health care plan for Matthew Lee

Updated 29/01/2008

This is to assist the principal, and staff of Blakehurst Public School , to formalise a plan of support for Matthew Lee, who has a complex health care need.

Risk:

Matthew requires the administration of specific health care procedures and is diagnosed as being at risk of an emergency. There is no risk of contagions as this is an “Auto-immune Diabetes” and is probably hereditary.

 

Diagnosis:

Matthew was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin Dependant) on April 28 th 2005 after being admitted to the Emergency Dept of Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick .

 

Basic Background Information:

Type 1 Diabetes is controlled by balancing daily Insulin Injections (immediately before breakfast, and again immediately before the evening meal), Food consumption (Type, Timing and Quantity) and Physical Activity.

 

Further Information and School Staff Training:

This was undertaken by Diabetes Australia , in the first week of School 2008. Sydney Children's Hospital's Endocrine education team are also available for staff training and for phone assistance and queries should they be required. Diabetes Australia has a free “Schools Care Line” 02-9552-9962.

Specific Needs (1):

Matthew requires on going monitoring of his Blood Glucose Levels (BGL) by means of a BGL testing kit (as supplied with him, every day).

BGL test must be done in the following circumstances:

• Immediately prior to every meal or Recess where food is to be eaten.
• On occasions when deemed necessary by his Dr, the Hospital, or Parent as requested to assist the “fine tuning” of his Diabetes
• When the Supervising Teacher (or Aid) feels that his BGL is either too low or too high to decide if he has an issue that requires immediate attention.
• On days when physical activity (such as sports carnivals etc) is scheduled that is above the “normal” daily routine.
• If Matthew says that he is hungry (when it is not his meal time) to establish if food is required.

Specific Needs (2):

Matthew requires on going monitoring of his food consumption.

• He will require specific amounts of food at specific times. Further explanation of this will come with the education team(s). It may be varied on occasions as requested by his administration team.
• He will require monitoring to ensure that he does in fact eat the required quantity of Carbohydrates at those times.
• He may require supervision to ensure that he doesn't eat any other person's food.
• He will require extra food on days when there is planned greater Physical Activity (e.g. Sport Days).

 

Specific Needs (3):

Matthew requires ongoing supervision during the school day both in class and in the playground.

• To be aware of Hypo's (Low BGL) until he learns to recognise his symptoms. After that he has to be able to go to a specific person or place to report his symptoms and then test his BGL or be tested.
• To ensure that he doesn't obtain any high Carbohydrate food (Lollies etc) so any abnormal BGL highs are not unnecessarily acted upon and to reduce any unnecessary stress by the “BGL Supervising Tester”.
• As Matthew's BGL tester requires a “Blood” sample (albeit a small amount), there will have to be a rubbish bin with a lid to place the blood contaminated strips into when testing has been completed.
• Until Matthew matures, it is expected that his Teacher (or Aide) assists with his BGL tests and will probably require rubber gloves, however there are NO Exposed needles or lancets handled by any persons during this process.
• Matthew doesn't require administration of insulin during the day at this time.

 

In The Event of an Emergency:

See Attached “Diabetes Management” Forms as there are varying states of Emergency that require slightly different solutions:

However a basic overview:

1. Recognise the symptoms of a “Hypo” (Low BGL).
2. Test BGL.
3. Treat this “Hypo” from his Emergency Kit.
4. Call the supplied contact number(s) in the supplied order until someone has been informed.
5. Matthew MUST sit quietly for 10-15 Minutes and then RETEST his BGL.
6. Matthew MUST NOT BE LEFT ALONE while this is happening .
7. Repeat if necessary.

 

Review Process:

This plan is a guide and it is expected to be modified (fine tuned) as Matthew integrates into the school routine. Otherwise it will be reviewed as requested by the school, his Administration Team or as his health needs change.

 

Special Circumstances:

It would probably be recommended that there are several Teachers as well as the Headmaster be trained by Educators to assist when there is absences of the initially trained room Teacher(s). Matthew will be educated to ensure that he knows where his school bag is and consistently uses this same location every day.

 

Multiple Emergencies:

Should there be a situation of a “Multiple Emergency” (several emergencies arising at the same time with a number of students), the time required to do a BGL test is less than 30 seconds. To assist with this eventuality, it is recommended that his School Bag containing his “Emergency Kit” and BGL meter always be located in a specific location, where it will be known by Matthew and staff, for easy access.