Diabetes Program

All children referred to Riley at IU Health with newly diagnosed diabetes that require insulin are hospitalized for approximately two days. During this time, your child will be evaluated and you and your child will receive instruction in diabetes management. These initial education sessions cover basic diabetes management skills such as blood sugar testing, insulin injections, recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), meal planning, carbohydrate counting and sick day management.

Children previously diagnosed with diabetes may be referred to our outpatient clinic. In the clinic, our patients receive a comprehensive medical, nutritional, educational and psychosocial evaluation. Patients are asked to complete a diabetes knowledge assessment packet before the clinic visit. This assessment shows us any educational deficits that exist so they can be addressed at the visit. Appropriate lab work is also performed. After the evaluation, patients receive ongoing outpatient education through the clinic.

The comprehensive, team-based care provided by the Diabetes Program helps children take control of their diabetes, grow and develop in a healthy manner and minimize the long-term effects of diabetes.