Minimizing hospitalization: children with newly diagnosed diabetes

Children's recognized vulnerability to the adverse effects of hospitalization has resulted in the firm belief that minimization or avoidance of hospitalization is in children's best interests. For children with newly diagnosed diabetes, minimal hospitalization may be achieved through the flexibility of the paediatric diabetes specialist nurse role, which crosses the boundary between hospital and community. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of a paediatric diabetes specialist nurse in reducing the length of hospitalization for newly diagnosed children. Using a quantitative approach, a quasi-experimental research design was chosen, measuring the length of hospitalization at diagnosis for 40 children diagnosed in the 2 years preceding, and 16 children diagnosed in the 9 months following, the commencement of the paediatric diabetes specialist nurse post. The study findings showed a significant reduction in the length of hospitalization, suggesting that paediatric diabetes specialist nurses, by minimizing or avoiding hospitalization for newly diagnosed children, can make a substantial contribution to their emotional wellbeing.