- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 14 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and Health Care Education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a diabetes educator in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Aug. 28, 2009
Blog: Dealing with diabetes emergencies
By Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Ever forget your insulin? Or did your snacks get all eaten and then you had a severe low? A couple of summers ago we had a family vacation in Florida. Our son, who lived in South Carolina and has type 1 diabetes, mentioned that he forgot his insulin and these were his exact words: "Oh well, I guess I just won't eat."
Of course, I was horrified and told him that that wasn't an option. We went to the nearest pharmacy that was able to call and get his prescription. This was a good learning experience for him. No matter how well you may be prepared, diabetes emergencies happen. Here are a few tips that our family has learned along the way:
- Have a backup plan in case you forget to bring your insulin or something happens to your insulin and you're not able to use it. In the United States, you can go to a pharmacy and they can call your doctor for a new prescription. U.S. insulin strengths are U-100 strength, while in foreign countries insulin may come in U-40 or U-80 strength. Check with a local healthcare provider for adjusted dose. If you need to use a different insulin, you'll need to buy new syringes to match the new insulin to avoid a mistake in your dose.
- Snacks — When out with family or friends, snacks tend to disappear. To avoid a hypoglycemic emergency, it's a good idea to carry sugar tablets. My son has found that if he carries lifesavers or other candy, those tend to be eaten (by him). He finds it less tempting to snack on sugar tablets.
- Always wear a diabetes medical ID bracelet or necklace — Information on the ID is invaluable to emergency medical personnel. If you are having a low and not able to communicate well, you can point to your ID. There are many attractive styles available.
- Carry a bag/backpack with your diabetes supplies and keep it close to the door when leaving. My son calls his backpack his "man purse." Gotta have a sense of humor!
- Did you get to work and realized that you forgot your insulin? — Ask your employer whether you can store an extra insulin vial/pen in a refrigerator.
Do you have a close call story? A frightening low? A time where you were caught unprepared? Please share your experiences and what you have learned.
Peggy
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