Emergency Admissions

If there is a need for your child to be admitted to hospital urgently because of an acute illness-appendicitis or accident, there are some simple rules to follow which make it easier and safer e.g: -

If possible take insulin, injection devices and blood glucose testing kit with you to hospital.

Inform emergency services and hospital on arrival that he/she has type I Diabetes.

Check blood glucose whilst waiting to go to hospital, treat symptomatic hypos appropriately (click here) for more advise.

Stay with your child if possible and be prepared to check blood glucose hourly. Remember you know your child's diabetes and if he/she is asked to starve then it is very important to make sure appropriate treatment is given to avoid hypos.

Ask them to inform the Paediatric Diabetes Team or Paediatrician on-call that you have been admitted to hospital.

As a general principal insulin should not be stopped, if he/she are due insulin seek advice and discuss with medical and nursing staff about giving it. Do not give it without checking first.

If major surgery is required then we will give the insulin via a drip with a glucose infusion.

Check with the nursing staff about whether he/she are allowed to eat. If they are not allowed to eat or drink then it is important to have a drip and we would arrange for the insulin to be given via a drip.

Do not be afraid to ask if you are uncertain what to do or are worried about the diabetes.

If you are on insulin pumps please ask for the diabetes team to be contacted urgently. Make sure the pump is not removed and lost. It may be necessary to put a temporary reduction on the basal rate. Make sure you know how to do this.

Remember it is a good idea for your child to wear an identification tag to say that they have diabetes (see medic-alert or e-mail Medi-Tag).