Diana Yardley and colleagues examine routine practices used in treating patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Responses from carers and families are also discussed
Glucagon has been prescribed routinely on diagnosis of paediatric type 1 diabetes. A forum of paediatric diabetes specialist nurses sought to examine whether this practice is evidence based. Forum members audited their own caseloads, including the families and carers, their professional practices and those of other teams nationally. It was found that the prescription of glucagon varies and its use is often limited by lack of confidence. They found little evidence to support routine prescription on diagnosis and recommend that individual case assessment of risk and of the needs and preferences of families and carers would be more cost effective. Families and carers who do acquire a glucagon injection kit should receive regular training in its use.
Nursing Children and Young People. 23, 9, 12-18. doi: 10.7748/ncyp2011.11.23.9.12.c8790
Correspondence Conflict of interestThe forum was supported by Jo Greenfield, diabetes representative and event organiser, Eli Lilly & Co Ltd
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to open peer review
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