1. Does Oregon allow school staff members who are not health care professionals to administer insulin?
Yes. Insulin is injected under the skin. This is called a subcutaneous injection. Oregon rules specifically allow nurses to delegate the task of subcutaneous injections:
The Registered Nurse may delegate tasks of nursing care, including the administration of subcutaneous injectable medications. Or. Admin. R. 851-047-0030.
The Oregon attorney general has also clearly stated that unlicensed assistive personnel may be trained to administer insulin in schools.
2. Does Oregon allow people who are not health care professionals to administer glucagon at school?
Yes. If a licensed health care profession is not immediately available, Oregon law specifically allows unlicensed individuals to administer "lifesaving treatment to persons who are experiencing severe hypoglycemia when other treatment has failed or cannot be initiated." ORS § 433.805. Unlicensed staff providing this care should be trained in the "administration of subcutaneous injection of glucagon for severe hypoglycemia."
3. Does Oregon allow students to self-manage diabetes care at school?
Yes. Guidance from the Oregon Department of Education encourages students to self-manage diabetes care:
Students should be able to participate in all or some of their diabetes care at school. The extent to which some students may need assistance from trained school personnel is dependent on the student's age, developmental level, and his/her experience with diabetes. District administrators need to become familiar with general guidelines regarding self-care responsibilities at various developmental ages of students […] Or. Dep't of Educ., Students with Special Health Care Needs Manual: Diabetes.
4. Does Oregon allow students to carry diabetes supplies such as needles, insulin, and blood glucose testing devices?
Yes. Guidance from the Oregon Department of Education encourages schools to make diabetes supplies available in the classroom:
Students with diabetes need to have snacks, diabetes supplies, and emergency equipment (i.e., glucagon) readily available in the classroom and other identified areas to assure their safety. […] In addition, school administrators and safety committees need to work with families to consider developing plans for significant emergencies (i.e., earthquake preparedness) to assure that adequate supplies would be available for students with diabetes for an extended period of time. Or. Dep't of Educ., Students with Special Health Care Needs Manual: Diabetes.
Resources:
For more information, see the following resources:
