1. Does Oklahoma allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. Trained school staff can provide all types of diabetes care if a nurse is not present. Insulin and glucagon are mentioned specifically:
B. If a school does not have a school nurse assigned to the school, the principal shall make an effort to seek school employees who may or may not be health care professionals to serve as volunteer diabetes care assistants to assist the student with the management of their diabetes care as provided for in the diabetes medical management plan for the student. Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.4.
2. Does Oklahoma allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon?
Yes. Trained school staff can provide all types of diabetes care if a nurse is not present. Insulin and glucagon are mentioned specifically:
C. The training [for volunteer diabetes care assistants] shall include instruction in: […] 2. Understanding the proper action to take if the blood glucose levels of a student with diabetes are outside the target ranges indicated by the diabetes medical management plan for the student; […]5. Properly administering insulin and glucagon and recording the results of the administration. Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.5.
3. Does Oklahoma allow students to self-manage diabetes at school?
Yes. Students with a diabetes care plan can perform all aspects of diabetes care, anywhere on school grounds, and during any school-related activities:
A. In accordance with the diabetes medical management plan of a student, a school shall permit the student to attend to the management and care of the diabetes of the student, which may include: 1. Performing blood glucose level checks; 2. Administering insulin through the insulin delivery system used by the student; 3. Treating hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia; […] 5. Otherwise attending to the management and care of the diabetes of the student in the classroom, in any area of the school or school grounds, or at any school-related activity. Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.7.
4. Does Oklahoma allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. A student may possess "on the person of the student at any time any supplies or equipment necessary to monitor and care for the diabetes of the student." Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.7.
5. Does Oklahoma allow a child to be moved to a different school because of a need for diabetes care?
No. A school cannot restrict a student's school assignment because of availability of a certain type of diabetes care:
C. Each school in which a student with diabetes is enrolled shall make an effort to ensure that a school nurse or a volunteer diabetes care assistant is available at the school to assist the diabetic student when needed. […] E. A school district shall not restrict the assignment of a student with diabetes to a particular school site based on the presence of a school nurse, contract school employee, or a volunteer diabetes care assistant. Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.4.
Resources:
For more information, see the following resources:
- Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.4. School nurse to administer management plan—Volunteer diabetes care assistant
- Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.5. Volunteer diabetes care assistants training
- Ok. Stat. § 70-1210.196.7. Student management of diabetes at school—Designated private area.
- Oklahoma Department of Health, Diabetes Management in Schools/ Back2School With Diabetes, 2014-2015 Training Slides Slides