Technology, teamwork give D21 nurses clearer picture of students' diabetes care

For students managing diabetes during the school day, blood glucose levels can change quickly – sometimes without noticeable symptoms. For school nurses, having timely information about those changes can make a meaningful difference in how they support students.

That's why several nurses across Community Consolidated School District 21 are working with the district's Student Services and Technology Services departments to add another tool to their diabetes-care toolkit: iPhones connected to students' continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).

Subscribe

The district is making use of decommissioned iPhones that were previously used by administrative staff, allowing the devices to be put to work supporting students at zero additional cost. Technology Services equips the phones with diabetes-monitoring apps compatible with students' CGMs and provides them to school nurses when requested. Currently, Cooper Middle School and Frost, Poe and Tarkington Elementary Schools each have a district-issued iPhone used for this purpose.

The technology does not replace the nurse's care, clinical judgment or communication with families. Rather, it provides another source of real-time information that can help nurses recognize changes in a student's glucose levels and respond when needed.

"This is really a team effort," said Sherri Massa, director of student services. "Our nurses know their students and understand the care they need, our families provide important information and guidance, and our Technology Services team helps make sure our nurses have the tools they need. When those pieces come together, we're able to provide an additional layer of support for students throughout their school day."

At Frost, registered nurse Elizabeth Malagon uses the Dexcom Follow app on her district-issued iPhone to monitor a student's glucose levels during the school day. The student's parent provides permission and invites Malagon to follow the student through the app.

"As a school nurse, having access to technology … has given me an additional tool to help provide safe and responsive care for my student," Malagon said. "Diabetes can look different from day to day, so having that real-time information helps me better understand what the student may need in the moment and allows me to be more proactive. It supports collaboration and communication with the students' parents, allowing us to share information and work together to support the student's needs throughout the school day."

At Cooper, registered nurse Melissa Scheithauer monitors three students through the district-provided phone. She said the technology can make it easier to keep track of students throughout the day without having to call them to the health office or track them down in another part of the building.

"It gives me a clear picture of what's happening with the student's blood sugar throughout the school day," Scheithauer said. "I can see their trends and recognize when numbers may be moving toward a high or a low, and work collaboratively with the parent to make informed decisions."

The partnership also illustrates how technology can support – rather than replace – the personal relationships at the center of student health care.

The role of Technology Services is intentionally straightforward. When a nurse requests a device, the department prepares an iPhone with the appropriate application based on the student's CGM. The apps currently in use include Dexcom Follow, Dexcom G7, Libre by Abbott and LibreLinkUp. Technology Services also helps nurses troubleshoot connectivity or setup issues when needed.

For Tarkington registered nurse Jami Kessler, the value of the technology is its ability to provide a more continuous picture of what is happening with a student. That information can help nurses follow the individualized guidelines established for their students.

"It just makes it much better, like on a moment-by-moment basis, to know what's going on," Kessler said.

The technology also has strengthened communication between nurses and families. Malagon said the additional information allows her to work with parents to respond to day-to-day changes while helping students feel safe and supported at school.

Ultimately, the phones are one piece of a larger effort to support students with diabetes. By bringing together school nurses, families, Student Services and Technology Services, the district is giving nurses another tool to provide responsive, individualized care throughout the school day.

And behind the technology is a collaboration that brings together people and expertise from across the district – all with the same goal of helping students have a safe, supported and successful school day.