Nursing, food service, and the child with diabetes.

The safety and well-being of children while they are at school or day care is a major concern in our society. It is therefore important that the professionals who are entrusted with the care of young people possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a safe and caring environment for all children, including those with chronic disorders such as diabetes. Each day 35 children in the United States are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. To make their school experiences positive, it is imperative that school employees be aware of the potential challenges associated with diabetes and how to meet these challenges successfully. This article discusses the role of the school nurse in forming an interdisciplinary team to work with a child with diabetes. It addresses the school nurse's role in diabetes education of food service personnel in the school. Confidentiality issues are also addressed.