Managing Type 1 Diabetes in an Inpatient Child Psychiatric Care Setting

Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for psychological, behavioral, and social problems. Comorbid mental illness and diabetes present a unique set of challenges for people with diabetes and their health care providers, particularly in an inpatient setting. Psychiatric symptoms before admission may affect type 1 diabetes management, and mental status and behavior can affect individuals’ ability to cooperate with treatment while they are inpatients. This article describes a clinical protocol to manage type 1 diabetes and maximize patient safety in an acute inpatient child psychiatric unit.