U-M Pediatric
Diabetes

Don't hang up!

Approximately one week before your visit, you will be contacted by a member of our staff to remind you of what must be done before your clinic visit. We ask that you please answer these calls so we can verify that you are prepared for your visit and to reduce the amount of time spent in the clinic.

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Cover up and stop the spread!

Make sure you and your child have access to a mask or face covering. If your child hasn't worn a mask regularly, practice a few times at home to get comfortable wearing them. For more mask wearing tips for children and young adults, check below.

Get your data ready.

Download the data from all of your diabetes devices, including blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and insulin pumps. If you need assistance with downloading your diabetes data, check out our Patient Data Download Guide for instructions on how to set up an account on a diabetes data platform and share the data with our clinic. We'd like you to download your data ahead of time to keep your clinic visit running smoothly and reduce our need to handle your diabetes devices in clinic.

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​Make sure you are up-to-date on any forms you have been given.

• You can save time at the clinic by completing necessary questionnaires for your visit via the patient portal. If you need instructions on signing up for the portal, visit our Patient Portal page.

• If you are newly diagnosed or it has been a year since you have filled it out, you can download and print out the Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) Yearly Assessment and bring it with you to your visit.

• For your next visit, you may download and print the Health History Questionnaire ahead of time. Both of these forms are available under Forms & Handouts.

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Stock up on medications.

Check your prescriptions and make a note of any that will need refills or expire. This includes insulin and glucagon.

Keep talking to us!

You can expect a call from a diabetes educator approximately 2 days before your scheduled visit. The diabetes educator will call to review your diabetes data, insulin doses, and any other concerns you might have since our diabetes educators may not be on-site during your clinic visit.

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What would you like to know?

Make a list of any questions or concerns you want to address with your diabetes care team at the visit.

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Get comfortable!

It can be a bit nerve-wracking for some to return to the clinic after spending most of their time physically distancing themselves from others.  There are many things we can do to support each other when we return to clinic. Here are a few suggestions:

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• Normalize your child’s feelings of worry and uncertainty at this time. Depending on your child’s age, help them understand if their worry is more than the “risk” of the situation. Help your child see that doctors and medical experts are doing everything they can to make sure your child is safe.

• Review the information on this page in words your child will understand (including links to visitor policies, screening, etc). Walk through what they can expect when you come into the clinic.

• Highlight what parts of the clinic visit will be in your child’s control - for example, engaging in appropriate prevention strategies like hand washing, keeping physical space from others, and wearing a mask.

• In your plan for the visit, include several options for enjoyable distractions! This will help keep your child’s mind off their worries and on other activities during any downtime at the clinic.

​Gather the items you may need for your clinic visit.

• ALL medical devices, including all blood sugar meters, insulin pumps, and CGMs

• Any physical blood sugar logs (there are instructions for downloading data from your devices below)

• Snacks (while our clinic offers emergency fast-acting glucose foods, it is better to ensure that your child has a snack available)

• Cloth or disposable face masks

• Small toys, quiet gaming devices, or books to help with waiting time​​​​

For the safety of our patients, staff, and community, visitation is being severely limited during the the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand how difficult visitation restrictions can be for our patients and their families. These important, temporary changes will help us minimize the number of people in our hospitals and health centers, and keep risk of infection low. 

 

Please check the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital website for the most up-to-date policies.

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Visitors

Effective July 9, 2021, up to 2 parents/guardians can accompany each pediatric patient to an appointment, unless an additional aide or assistant is required. Siblings are not permitted.

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Screening

All visitors will be screened upon arrival at any of our hospitals or health centers. We do not allow anyone who has symptoms of illness to visit our patients. Visitors must also check in at the Guest Services Desk at the entrance of each hospital or health center.

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Masks

For the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff, our providers request that all children 24 months and older and all adults wear a face mask. You may bring your own mask or face covering from home, or masks are provided at each entrance if you do not have one. Please note that you may be barred from entry if you do not wear a mask.

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Guidelines for wearing a mask can be found here.

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If wearing a mask is challenging for your child or the adult who will accompany them, consider the following strategies:

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• Let your child pick out the mask. Kids can select a color, fabric, or even decorate their own cloth mask (as long as the decorations do not affect the integrity of the mask). Please note, surgical masks cannot be decorated without damaging them.

• Practice the correct way to wear a mask at home. Before putting on the mask, wash hands for at least 20 seconds. Next, put it on by looping it around their ears. (Pro tip: attach buttons to your child's favorite hat right above their ears and loop the straps around the buttons if the straps bother their ears.) Adjust it to cover the nose, mouth, and chin fully. Consider making a game of this or create a song to help you remember the steps.

• Be a mask role model! Wear your mask and explain how it keeps you and others safe.

• Practice wearing the mask. Start with short periods of time while doing enjoyable activities. Work your way up to being able to wear it for the length of the appointment.

• Make play masks for stuffed animals or dolls. You could even draw masks on coloring book pages of their favorite characters. Including masks in play can reduce anxiety about wearing them outside the home.

• Plan a preferred activity following the visit as a reward for their effort keeping their mask on for their appointment. Consider smaller rewards throughout the visit if your child needs a shorter period to remain motivated.