Legislative letter example

 February 6, 2009

 

 

Jane Student, RN

123 Nurse Street

Ocoee, FL 34761-8657

 

 

The Honorable Andy Gardiner

Florida State Senate

1013 East Michigan Street

Orlando, FL 32806

 

 

Dear Senator Gardiner,

 

I am writing to you in opposition of HB 747 and SB 896. This bill is to require school nurses to educate school employees to perform testing and administer emergency treatment to diabetic children. This bill does highlight an important need for medical attention in an emergency; however, this potential life saving intervention can lead to severe complications. I am a registered nurse and strongly oppose placing the responsibility to educate lay people to perform testing and administer medications upon a school nurse.

 

This bill requires the school nurse to provide instruction on various insulin pumps. Only specialized diabetic nurses can teach insulin pumps. There are five companies that manufacture insulin pumps for children. Each of these pumps has individualized features and may have different kinds of insulin. These insulins can be immediate acting or long acting. This means the doses will vary and the time that it will take to work will vary. When a patient is in the hospital before administering insulin, standard of care requires that two registered nurses must verify the dose. A simple error could be fatal.

 

Monitoring glucose levels requires experience and extensive training. This is not as simple as pricking a finger. For example, if a child were to complain of feeling bad, a well meaning teacher may check her blood glucose level and find that it is high. This teacher may decide to administer insulin based on previous training. The problem is that you must have a history. When did this child last eat? What type of diabetic medications did this child take at home? Could this child have a cold or flu? The possible scenarios are endless and a misunderstanding could lead to severe consequences.  According to The Diabetes Education Council it is important that those caring for children with diabetes be aware of the reasons behind checking blood glucose levels and administering insulin.  

 

I support the desire to provide emergency care and medical support to our diabetic children at school and at after school activities. This care cannot be substituted by a brief course with annual certification. This care can only be provided by a qualified licensed medical professional. A registered nurse is trained to take a history and critically think to provide the safest care possible. All educational employees should be aware if there is a diabetic child and the extenuating circumstances. This child must be allowed to monitor sugar and eat snacks as needed. These employees should recognize a sick child and follow school policy to obtain proper assistance and to call 911 for an emergency.

I urge you to oppose HB 747 and SB 896 for the safety of our children.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Jane Student, RN