Don't think this is quite right

hmm I wouldnt be letting anyone take my blood except me or doctors, That doesnt sound right at all.

Dragongirl,

I can't say that I would be happy with that either. I was a first-aider some years back, and the training is very basic to say the least, and I for one wouldn't have been happy to administer insulin, or test someones bg. First-aiders are not medically qualified to carry out such tasks, there are to many risk factors involved in allowing people to conduct such duties. Only highly qualified personal such as your gp, nurse or ambulance staff can perform them competently.

Don't agree to anything at the moment, tell them you are seeking some clarification from your gp and community law centre that other parties are allowed to interfere in your diabetes management. I personally think your employer is treading on thin ice here, and are not only breaching your rights, but are also giving responsibilities to individuals who may not be happy with carrying out such procedures.

Do get this checked out!

Nigel

Hi Dragon62, I really dont see the point of anyone being trained to use your insulin pen as I cant see why anyone would need to to treat a hyper!!!!

And no one is needed to test your bg levels for you at any time let alone at regular intervals. I can see why it might be a good idea for a firstaider to be trained how to treat a hypo with glucose drinks or even gel and learn how important it is to spot the early signs of hypos and to CALL THE EMERGENCY SERVICES.

I think whoever dreamed up this stupid health and safety idea is the one that needs training about diabetes, this person obviously thinks he/she has been very eficient and cleaver when it just shows how *ill informed the really are. *I was going to say stupid but there is no need for name calling but that was my first thought.

Tell them if anyone sticks anything in your finger you will sue them for assault or ABH

Hi Dragon62,
I agree with the above, I am no solicitor but had a peek at this site regarding regulations in the work place reference to first aid and so one.

One of the first aiders training involves the quote...

Recognising medical conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy & asthma

Click to expand...

Does not say anything about testing Bg nor administering someone's pen.

Have a look,


http://www.gkfirstaidtraining.co.uk/courses.htm

I agree totally with what the others have said.

I would tell them I want every single item mentioned in that text clarified and in no way would I let anyone use my pen, my Bg tester, or so much as scratch me let alone test my Bg. :shock:

Frankly it is just something dreamed up by somebody who has no idea what they are talking about !

Ken

Whilst it would appear that the employer seems to be trying to fulfil their obligations under the act they would seem to be guilty of over enthusiasm and putting in place inappropriate measures which will put both victim and first aider at risk. :roll:

In certain circumstances the first aider could actually put the life of the victim at risk. :shock:

At the very least consulting both GP and Union would seem to be the sensible course before even replying to whoever is thinking of implementing such a measure.

Noblehead – an innocent mistake but can I just point out this is dragon62's post not mine?! Could blur the info and responses at any point.
DG

Your employer hasn't thought this through...

Firstly they would have to get the first aiders to agree, as this is outside of a first aider remit, then they would have to get an HCP to provide the training, etc...

All the fist aider needs to know, is how to regonise an hypo and an hyper the latter more so for informatiion, as it's unlikely to be a problem at work..

How to treat a hypo i.e what you use for hypo treatment and when to call the ambulance out to you if you don't respond!

The only other thing your employer can ask from you, is a list of medication that you take for your diabetes (and this to be kepted updated) what and where you kit is.. So that in the event that you were ill or had an accident at work, this could be given to the parimedic snf taken to hospital with you if admittence is required..

They actualy should have a health and safety/risk assessement on your records, that goes through medication you are on, what to do in an event of hypo etc, and if you've got a well organised comapny this assesment should be repeated every 6 months..

I think it would be useful for first aiders to know how to use your test kit so that if something happened they could test your blood sugars and offer help if you're in hypo. It would be useful for your colleagues to know how to treat a hypo appropriately. But I'd never allow them to use your insulin, why on earth should they need to know how to do that?

I would suggest you prepare a card to keep on your desk, & give a copy to the first-aiders, to tell people what to do if you need help when you have a hypo. I hope they would never consider insulin as that would aggravate a hypo. BG tests could be appropriate if they are properly informed.

As a T2, I carry a card in my car, asking people to let me sleep. That was a serious problem before I adopted the reduced carb diet. My BG has never gone below 4, & rarely above 10, so emergency treatment for diabetes would not be needed. I occasionally pulled off onto the m'way hard shoulder, & often slept in the service area.

SophiaW said:

I think it would be useful for first aiders to know how to use your test kit so that if something happened they could test your blood sugars and offer help if you're in hypo. It would be useful for your colleagues to know how to treat a hypo appropriately. But I'd never allow them to use your insulin, why on earth should they need to know how to do that?

Click to expand...

Completely agree with Sophia. I would not have a problem with themes testing my blood. I have been a first aider, and was faced with someone who I was told was diabetic by hos friends, practically unnconscious on the floor. Now, I worked ina nightclub atthe time, and it was this chaps 21st birthday. He was completely legless as well! His fiends, sho had a few drinks themselves, knew that tehy had to get him sugar, but I was aware that he had been drinking sugary alcopops for most of teh night, and knew it was unlikely he was low. I managed to get him to frunt that it would be OK to test his blood sugar, and he was in the high 20s. He wouldn't accept an ambulance, so we tried to sober him up, while his mate went to get his pen...and he did an injection.

Not suggesting taht drunk people are likely at work, but theability to test blood sugar is no bad thing. OK, if you don't know, assume your blood sugar is low...but just in case it isn't, it is good that they can get you the right treatment.

Having said all that though...I would never let them near my insulin!! How would they know what to inject. I am hapy to explain to teh first aiders about pens (and now pump!) but only so they can pass on any info should a paramedic be called. There is no way anyone should inject you...even a diabetes specialist consultant wouldn't do that, without prior history of your insulin needs and doses.

Dragongirl,

I do apologize for the mistake, likewise dragon62 for addressing you with the wrong user name. It was 5 in the morning and I had little sleep.

Some really good points have been put forward here, but I think it is important to draw the line between treatment of a hypo, and using instruments that pierce the skin where the possibilities of infection and injury are high for both the patient and the first-aider involved. I can't see the need to be trained on insulin injections, and as a overdose of insulin can lead to loss of consciousness, coma and in the worse case scenario death, it is not something that should be given without medical training and knowledge.

Dragon62, as the document they have handed you isn't quite clear what they want you to agree too, I would ask for a more detailed document and take this along to your gp or dsn for further examination. It may be even worth your while asking the first-aiders in your work-place what they think of carring out these tasks, I'll bet they won't be happy.

Nigel