Diabetes Technology is off to Camp
Mar 19, 2019, 12:53 PM
What a whirlwind of technology to help improve the lives of persons with diabetes, particularly focused on persons with type 1 or taking multiple daily injections
- Sensors that relay glucose information to pumps and cell phones and then, for some devices, onto loved ones.
- Sensors that do not require calibration and are approved for insulin dosing
- A pump that changes basal rates based on sensor glucose history and selects the correction dose to be administered by the individual wearing the device.
- Pumps that suspend insulin when glucose levels are trending towards a low glucose
- Do It Yourself (DIY) systems for those choosing this non FDA approved option
- And by the end of camp season – the anticipated roll out of pumps that will deliver insulin when sensor data communicates a rising glucose level
For diabetes educators working with individuals with type 1 diabetes – this is our world. Educating individuals about options in technology, guiding the set up and initiation of the device, utilizing the devices to their full potential and problem solving when the technology is not delivering. However, when a child or adolescent is in school or attending summer camp, the school or camp nurse may not be up to speed on the large variety of technological options. For some, there may be little knowledge of type 1 diabetes itself – where children and adolescents report being told if they would just eat healthy and exercise, they would not have their type 1 diabetes!
For AADE members, DANAtech.org offers a robust, always-current destination to access tech-focused continuing education and device training.
There are several new resources available to share with camp health professionals that may be less familiar with type 1 diabetes and devices. These include a
new set of education modules sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. Tip sheets for all insulin pumps and sensors are also available on the same website. Six CEU’s for the course are now available through the camp nursing association and will soon be available at
diabetes.org/summercamp for most healthcare professionals. Tip sheets are also available to download and share with camp personal. Both resources are appropriate for school nurses to enhance their understanding of the basic of type 1 diabetes as well as the functionality of the pumps and sensors. For AADE members,
DANAtech.org offers a robust, always-current destination to access tech-focused continuing education and device training.
As the school year draws to a close, summer camps are ramping up. Some filling up quickly. Encourage children and adolescents in your practice to attend – and consider joining the volunteer force of healthcare professionals who support children with diabetes at camp. If you are tech savvy, your expertise is invaluable. If you need some coaching, check out the educational options available to help bring you up to speed. Make sure to direct your peers to these resources as well.
Searching for a diabetes camp? Visit diabetescamp.org or Diabetes.org/summercamp.
About the Author:
Cox is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. She has been a certified diabetes educator for over 25 years and served as an assistant adjunct professor for 14 years, teaching in areas of sports nutrition and exercise physiology. Currently she works for Mountain Visa Medicine and Providence Medical Group in Missoula, Montana and consults on diabetes technology nationally.
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