1. Diastat Training for Non-Licensed Staff
8/08

2. What is Diastat? Diastat is:
A medication used to stop seizure activity
A form of diazepam in a gel preparation
Administered rectally from a pre-measured syringe

3. When Do We Use Diastat
Seizures that last more than a few minutes have the potential to be harmful
Students with Diastat orders have a specific protocol for when to administer it written by their neurologist
Although protocols are student specific and vary, generally Diastat is administered if the seizure has lasted between 5-10 minutes or there has been a cluster of several seizures

4. Your Responsibilities
Know which students have seizures
Know what they look like, what is typical, what is not typical
Know what types of care each student needs for his/her seizures
Know what medications each student takes for prolonged seizures
Know where to find each student’s seizure protocol and medications such as Diastat
Check the Diastat daily
Contact Health Services immediately if the student is close to the criteria for Diastat

5. Calling 7800
Call 7800, the Health Services Emergency Line to obtain assistance Mon-Fri 8-4:30
Tell the nurse who answers:
The student’s name
The exact location
When the seizure began
When the protocol indicates to administer the Diastat
Anything unusual including injuries
Remember that the nurse may not be your program nurse so the more information you give the better, including directions to your location
If possible send someone to find and direct the nurse to the location

6. Diastat and the Diastat Protocol must be kept with the student at all times

7. Who Administers Diastat
Diastat is administered as much as possible by a nurse during hours when Health Services is open
Diastat may only be administered by staff trained and cleared by Health Services

8. How to Administer Check the 5 Rights Before Administering
right student
right medication
right dose
right route
right time: based up the seizure protocol

9. Diastat Accudial has a green ready band set by the pharmacy, make sure you see this green band before giving
Wear gloves
Ensure the student’s privacy with a blanket, screen, closed door, or removing others from the area

10. Have the student lying on his/her side
Remove cap, apply lubricating gel to tip
Insert into rectum
Push plunger in slowly while counting to 3
Hold in rectum while counting to 3
Remove and hold buttocks together
Continue to observe the student

11. Common Diastat Adverse Effects
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Changes in Breathing, especially slowed breathing

12. What Do We Do After Diastat is Administered
When Health Services is Open:
Allow the student to rest comfortably and privately
Monitor the student closely for 4 hours
Monitor for drowsiness, unsteadiness, changes in facial color, slowing of breathing, further seizure activity
Contact #7800 if there are concerns about the student’s condition, or if seizures recur

13. When Health Services is not open:
Contact Nurse on Call, Residential Supervisor and AEC
Call 911 for further evaluation and transportation to emergency room if necessary
When Off Grounds:
Contact Health Services and appropriate supervision

14. Additional Information
Check the student’s bag daily to be sure the Diastat is present
Check the Diastat to be sure the expiration date on the label is not expired
Have Health Services check in the Diastat and label it
Diastat must be counted daily and extras kept in the locked cabinet in the med room