Search

Aim: To analyse the content of the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot., Design: A methodological study with a quantitative approach was performed., Methods: The analysis was performed between January and May 2021 by 34 nurses with clinical/theoretical/research experience with diabetes or nursing diagnoses. These nurses evaluated the relevance, clarity and precision of 12 diagnosis-specific etiological factors, 22 clinical indicators and their conceptual and operational definitions., Findings: All 12 etiological factors analysed were considered relevant to diagnostic identification. However, five showed inconsistencies regarding the clarity or precision of the operational definitions, requiring adjustments. Regarding the 22 clinical indicators evaluated, all of them presented a Content Validity Index (CVI) that was statistically significant. However, in the indicators, the colour does not return to lowered limb after 1 min of leg elevation, and cold foot had Content Validity Index (CVI) <0.9 regarding relevance and accuracy of operational definitions., Conclusions: Twelve etiological factors and 22 clinical indicators were validated. Thus, this study revealed new and relevant aspects characterising peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot that have not yet been clinically validated., Implications for Nursing Practice: This study contributes to support the professional practice of nurses through the early identification of etiological factors and clinical indicators in persons with diabetic foot. As a proposal, we suggest the inclusion of new defining characteristics and related factors for the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in the NANDA-I taxonomy., Impact: The research highlights new and relevant aspects such as etiological factors and clinical indicators to characterise peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot. Based on these findings, clinical validation is recommended to confirm the relevance of the proposed elements in the population studied for greater reliability and improved diagnostic assessment for the professional practice of nurses., Reporting Method: EQUATOR guidelines were adhered to using the GRRAS checklist for reporting reliability and agreement studies., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Type 2 diabetes can lead to severe foot complications, making self-care education, guided by clinical guidelines, crucial. However, fragmented and dispersed recommendations challenge effective implementation of these guidelines. Bringing together recommendations and presenting them according to a self-care model can provide a solid framework and facilitate the interpretation of results., Aims: to map the international guidelines that provide recommendations to nurses to enable people with type 2 diabetes for foot self-care and synthesize the recommendations according to the key concepts of the middle-range theory of self-care for chronic diseases., Design: A scoping review was undertaken, using the methodological guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute., Data Sources: Databases were searched between September 2022 and June 2023, including PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, guideline websites and related professional association websites. The databases were chosen for their comprehensive coverage of the area., Methods: Eligible articles included guidance documents providing foot care recommendations for diabetes, published or updated between 2013 and 2023. Two reviewers summarized the recommendations presented in at least two guidelines according to the key concepts of the self-care model. The PRISMA-ScR checklist was used., Results: Seventeen guidelines were included. In total, we synthesized 175 recommendations. The recommendations were framed in three dimensions and their respective categories: Self-care maintenance (education for prevention, control of risk factors, daily foot care, footwear, and socks), Self-care monitoring (foot inspection, detection of signs of infection, and detection of other diabetes-related foot disease complications), and Self-care management (responses to signs and symptoms, foot wound care, follow-up with health professionals, and health services)., Conclusions: The main aspect of foot care revolves around daily care, including cleaning, moisturizing, nail care, selecting appropriate footwear, and regular inspection of both feet and footwear.

Objectives: To determine the profile of diabetes patients with neuropathic and neuro-ischaemic lesions who are referred to the advanced practice nurse (APN) in complex chronic wounds; to determine whether a training strategy aimed at primary care nurses and nursing homes that care for patients with diabetic foot disease influences the performance of professionals; and to assess the extent, follow-up and evaluation of diabetic foot disease in patients with neuropathic ulcers and neuro-ischaemic ulcers referred to the specialist APN before and after the training., Methods: The characteristics of patients referred to the APN over a period of 6.5 years were analysed, as well as the numbers of amputations and deaths pre- and post-training., Results: of the total of 103 patients, 78 were men; across both sexes the average age was 69 years. Fifty patients had neuropathic ulcers and 53 had neuro-ischaemic ulcers, with healing rates of 59%. There were 50 amputations and 37 deaths over the study period., Conclusion: Prevention of diabetic foot ulcers depends on having in place a fast, agile, practical clinical pathway between primary care and hospital, with the role of the APN, including the co-ordination of care between primary and secondary settings, being key.

Diabetic foot (DF) ulcer is one of the common complications of diabetic patients, with high incidence and amputation rate, which seriously affects the quality of life and health of patients. Therefore, how to effectively prevent and treat DF ulcers and reduce amputation rate has become an urgent problem in the medical field. As a comprehensive nursing model for patients with DF ulcers, comprehensive nursing intervention is designed to improve the therapeutic effect and prognosis and reduce the rate of amputation. Convenient sampling method was used to select 360 patients with DF who received routine care for DF ulcers from July 2013 to July 2023 for retrospective cohort analysis. According to the existence of exposure factors (comprehensive nursing intervention), 180 cases were divided into observation group and comparison group. The basic demographic data, amputation rate, severity of foot ulcer, neuropathy and vascular disease, and blood glucose control were compared between the 2 groups. The data was analyzed using SPSS26.0. Harman single factor test was used to check whether there was common method bias in the study data. Descriptive analysis, Spearman rank correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the current situation of amputation rate of DF patients and the influence of comprehensive nursing intervention on the amputation rate of DF patients. The amputation rate was 2.8% in the Observation group compared to 8.3% in the Comparison group. The amputation rate of the observation group was generally higher in the age group, and the amputation rate of the observation group was higher in the middle school education level and below and the economic status of <5000 yuan. The difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88-4.38), education level (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.69-6.46), economic status (OR = 2.28; 95% CI: 1.69-10.85) was an independent risk factor for amputation rate (P < .05). Comprehensive nursing interventions have played a positive role in reducing the rate of amputation in patients with DF., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background:  Diabetic foot is a dangerous complication of diabetes and can lead to high morbidity and mortality. As essential team members of the healthcare system, nurses play an important role in diabetic foot management and are indispensable in patients' education to prevent diabetic foot. The study assessed nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding diabetic foot care in Sol Plaatje primary health care centres in the Northern Cape: Sol Plaatje's 14 district municipality clinics, Kimberley, Northern Cape., Methods:  This was a descriptive cross-sectional analytical study. A questionnaire assessed nurses' knowledge, practices and attitudes towards diabetic foot care in the above setting., Results:  A total of 128 professionals, enrolled and auxiliary nurses who are providing primary care to patients within the 14 clinics in the Sol-Plaatje sub-district were recruited for the study. Hundred and five participants completed the self-administered questionnaires. The majority (95%) were females and 58.1% knew that South African Diabetic Foot Guidelines existed, while 57.7% had read them. About 57% did not know about the 60-s diabetic foot screening tool, and 67% did not know the 10 g monofilament test. Approximately 29.8% had never attended a class on diabetic foot care and 85.6% required training on diabetic foot care., Conclusion:  This study revealed that the majority of nurses working in the Sol-Plaatje sub-district primary health care centres are knowledgeable of the diabetic foot guidelines for primary care. However, there is a need for ongoing education on diabetic foot care.Contribution: The study results will help improve nurses' awareness of the importance of diabetic foot care.

Aim: A limited number of studies discuss the changes in patients' self-care skills and needs for assisted self-care after discharge from in-patient treatment due to diabetes foot ulcer-related complications. The aim of this study was to examine the ability to perform self-care and needs for assisted nursing interventions at hospital discharge, compared to pre-admission, for people with diabetes admitted and treated for foot ulcer-related complications., Design: Retrospective patient record study., Methods: A retrospective assessment was done on the medical records of a total of 134 patients with diabetes consecutively admitted to a specialist in-patient unit due to foot ulcer complications, between 1 November 2017 and 30 August 2018. Data on daily self-care needs and home situations at admission and discharge were recorded., Results: The median age was 72 years (38-94), 103 (76.9%) were men and 101 (73.7%) had diabetes type 2. The median length of admission was 10 days (2-39). Infection was the most common cause of admission (51%), with severe ischaemia in 6%, and a combination of both in 20% of patients. Surgical treatment was performed in 22% and vascular intervention in 19% of patients. The percentage of patients discharged to their home without assistance was 48.1% compared to 57.5% before admission, discharge to home with assistance was 27.4% versus 22.4% before admission and 9.2% were discharged to short-term nursing accommodation versus 6% before admission. Three patients died during their stay in hospital. The need for help with medications increased from 14.9% of patients at admission to 26.7% at discharge and for mobility assistance from 23.1% to 35.9%. Social services at home were increased in 21.4% of patients at discharge., (© 2024 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Community nurses face numerous challenges in both diagnosing and effectively treating their patients. The diabetic patient has complex needs requiring a holistic approach. With a reported increase in diabetic patients, and a possible decline in some routine screening following Covid-19 pandemic, complications in diabetic patients are likely to rise. It is estimated that 25% of diabetic patients will develop a diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), with a reported 43% of DFU already infected at first presentation to a health professional. NICE categorise the level of infection in DFU based on standardised assessments such as SINBAD. A high categorised DFU has the possibility of osteomyelitis. It is imperative that osteomyelitis is treated immediately to achieve positive outcomes, benefitting the patients' health and wellbeing in addition to reducing the financial implications to the NHS.

Background: Even with full practice authority, nurse practitioners (NPs) face limitations in care and treatment options. An example of this is current federal law prohibiting NPs from ordering diabetic shoes., Purpose: This study reviewed the background of this problem, potential impacts on patient health and NP practice, and viable solutions for consideration., Methods: This was a descriptive study of NPs in a northwestern state with full practice authority. An anonymous online survey was used. There were 54 total NP respondents., Results: The potential negative patient outcomes associated with restricted NP ability to prescribe diabetic footwear were supported through the literature review and the survey, including increased foot complications and acuity, translating to increased costs. Of the NPs queried, 80% felt inability to prescribe diabetic footwear was limiting to their practice, and 92% felt this affected patient outcomes. Federal legislative changes with support of bipartisan bills allowing NPs to prescribe diabetic footwear could facilitate timeliness and access to care while reducing costs., Implications for Practice: Legislation affecting NP scope of practice is an important issue with implications related to patient outcomes. Nurse practitioners should continue to support legislation at the federal level to pass bills allowing for NPs to certify orders for diabetic shoes.

This study aimed at uncovering the factors influencing individuals' ability to engage in self-management of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and presenting a theoretical model depicting these factors and the outcomes. We used constructivist grounded theory methodology to guide this study and recruited 30 participants with an active DFU attending a wound care clinic in Ontario, Canada. The study's findings indicate that participants' engagement in self-management of DFU was influenced by internal and external factors. While some factors contributed to enhance participants' engagement in everyday self-management, others seemed to have prevented them from achieving engagement and hence the desired DFU outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds., Methods: Quantitative research with a cross-sectional design performed with 100 patients with chronic wounds from a university hospital and a Basic Health Unit in southern Brazil. The mean values of the domains of the instruments Wound Quality of Life (Wound-QoL) and Freiburg Life Quality Assessment Wound were compared with sociodemographic variables of age, sex and education., Results: The average age of the participants was 60.98 years old; 41% (n = 41) had diabetic ulcers and 83% (n = 83) treated the wounds for more than 24 months. The total quality of life value was below the mean with 37.50/100 with (Wound-QoL) and 44.20/100 with (FLQA-Wk). The variables of gender, and educational level were not correlated with either of the two instruments used to assess the quality of life. The age variable was significantly correlated with the satisfaction item of the FLQA-Wk., Conclusions: The quality of life of patients with chronic wounds was considered poor. The age variable was correlated with the satisfaction domain, showing that the older the age, the lower the satisfaction. The use of instruments to evaluate the quality of life of patients with chronic wounds may help an effective treatment plan., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright� by the Universidad de Antioquia.)

This article explores how nurses can use evidence-based practice to appraise the rationale and evidence for specific nursing procedures or practices. A literature review of published evidence on honey dressings for diabetic foot ulcers was conducted by a novice researcher (lead author) under the supervision of a lecturer (second author). A methodology was followed to construct an answerable research question and to guide the search and retrieval of evidence. The strengths and limitations of a selected study were appraised, and its implications for practice considered. This article highlights an area of practice that warrants further attention and demonstrates the use of evidence-based practice to consider the quality and utility of clinical research.

Introduction: Nurses play a vital role in the care and prevention of ulcers in patients with diabetic foot. Patient education, prevention of ulcers and rehabilitation are some of the vital aspects that nurses provide on a daily basis. Thus, good knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care will ensure better patient care., Objectives: The aim is to study the level of knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care in Hospital Segamat, Malaysia., Methods: A validated questionnaire was used between February 2019 to May 2019 covering area such as demography, predisposing factors of ulcer formation, characteristics of ulcers, complications of ulcers, and attitude towards diabetic foot care., Results: A total of 101 nurses took part and 57% of the participants scored poorly in the knowledge section of the questionnaire. In all 72% had scored poorly when asked regarding complications of diabetic foot ulcers; 49.5% of the nurses had positive attitude towards diabetic foot care; and 79.3% thought that care for diabetic foot ulcer is timeconsuming. Majority of them think that their colleagues are the main source of information. All demographic variables were deemed to be confounders with the knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care., Conclusions: Nurses in this centre had poor knowledge towards diabetic foot ulcers and its care. None of the variable studied were correlated with the level know knowledge. Good or poor knowledge of nurses does not correspond equally to good or poor attitude towards diabetic foot ulcers care. More frequent formal training of diabetic foot care would be needed to ensure better knowledge.

The effective management of hard-to-heal wounds has increasingly important implications for those who provide wound care services within healthcare systems. The burden of wounds in the population continues to grow, as does the demand for wound care, against a backdrop of cost constraints and increasing expectations. The need to improve both outcomes and efficiency in wound care is therefore paramount and the time taken to heal wounds is an important factor in determining both. Survey methodology was used to collect data across 10 community wound care providers in the UK, Ireland, Finland, Norway and Denmark between February and August 2017. This allowed for analysis of wounds and their characteristics, dressing selection and nursing practice across a typical wound caseload. Data from 1057 wounds demonstrates that the characteristics and consequences of hard-to-heal wounds are different from improving wounds. However, wounds are, in general, treated in the same way, irrespective of whether they are hard-to-heal or improving, suggesting that the healing status of a wound is not a major factor in treatment selection. Early intervention to return hard-to-heal wounds to a healing trajectory may be a useful approach to improving efficiency in wound care.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious and costly complication in diabetes which affects different aspects of life and can reduce patient's quality of life. Various views to manage DFU have been introduced. The nurse-led team, as a multidisciplinary team, can be effective due to a holistic approach to some disease management; but in patients with DFU it has not been assessed. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the effect of nurse-led care on quality of care (QOC) and improvement of HbA1C in Patients with DFU. This was a randomized clinical trial study performed on 52 patients with DFU. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: nurse-led care intervention and standard care. The study was conducted in one of the hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using two questionnaires: Demographic characteristics and Quality Patient Care Scale (QUALPACS) and taking a blood sample for HbA1C. The nurse-led Care interventions were conducted in three stages: Integrated, Interdisciplinary, and Comprehensive. Descriptive and analytic statistical methods were used to analyze the data. P < .05 was considered significant. The results demonstrated that according to repeated measures test, (before, 4 and 12 weeks after the intervention), the level of QOC dimensions (Psychosocial, communication and physical aspect) in the nurse-led group had a significant difference with control group (P < .0001). Also, according to the results of Independent t test, there was a significant difference in total QOC scoring and HbA1c between intervention and control groups after the intervention and follow up (P < .0001). Considering the burden of diabetes and DFUs, it seems that the establishment of a nurse-led care approach can be an effective strategy to manage and treat these patients, and eliminate the disruption of care and achieve optimal care quality., (© 2019 by the Wound Healing Society.)

Background: Expert nurses must provide both physical and emotional care to patients with diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) who require an amputation. This includes helping patients and families to cope with this situation, while ensuring the maximum level of comfort., Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the perspective of expert nurses on the needs and hospital care of people requiring an amputation due to DFS., Method: This was a qualitative multicenter study involving 8 hospitals in Spain and Portugal. In-depth interviews with expert nurses were transcribed verbatim to enable content analysis., Results: Twenty-four expert nurses were interviewed about their knowledge and experience of treating patients with diabetic foot disease. Two themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: (1) poor self-care and the disease trajectory, and (2) effective hospital care., Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the key role that expert nurses play in the care of patients with DFS. Expert nurses considered that amputation leaves the individual physically and psychologically vulnerable, especially upon discharge from hospital. It is therefore essential to provide these patients with comprehensive and multidisciplinary care that includes emotional support.

Research that explores foot self-care practices and clinical foot care recommendations for persons with diabetes mellitus is limited., Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to understand the gaps between the American Diabetes Association clinical recommendations on preventive foot self-care and perceptions of and actions taken by patients with diabetes and diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs)., Methods: PubMed, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Online Library, Psychological Information Database, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for qualitative research literature published in English from January 1, 2001, to October 21, 2016, using the MeSH terms diabetes mellitus, diabetic foot ulcers, foot care, experiences, and perception to examine the experiences of patients with diabetes regarding foot self-care practices. Publications were screened for inclusion according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and The Standard for Reporting Qualitative Research was used to appraise trustworthiness and publication bias. Publication details (author, year, title, country in which the study was conducted, and the type of publication), study aims, design (study methodology, method of sampling, and analysis method), and participant details were abstracted to Excel sheets for analysis of foot self-care experiences and to determine common themes (foot self-care issues) among patients with diabetes., Results: Of the 14 publications identified, 9 (that included 113 patients with diabetes [95 with or history of DFUs and 18 with no DFUs] and 28 health care professionals [14 podiatrists, 8 physicians, and 6 registered nurses]) met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Research included 4 qualitative descriptive design studies, 2 descriptive phenomenology studies, 1 grounded theory study, 1 interpretive phenomenology study, and 1 exploratory qualitative design study. Four (4) studies were found to lack transparency, and 7 studies did not address trustworthiness. The common themes identified were the high clinical and lifestyle burden of DFUs, poor foot self-care knowledge, perception barriers and resistance, adoption of self-management practices, and discordance between patient and provider impressions and expectations., Conclusion: Several barriers to optimal foot care in persons with diabetes with and without foot ulcers were identified and may be explained and addressed by considering the Health Belief Model. Clinical interventions should be individualized to identify and address patient-specific barriers to optimal foot self-care. Future clinical studies are needed to examine the outcomes of individualized interventions.

Purpose: Medical staff shortages remain a serious challenge, particularly to medical administrators. We aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a collaborative nursing care model in treatment of diabetic foot., Design: A quasi-experimental pilot study., Methods: Twenty-eight patients with diabetic foot treated by transverse tibial bone transport between January 2017 and March 2018 were randomized. The observational group received collaborative nursing care, while the control group received usual nursing care. Postoperative dorsal foot skin temperature, visual analog scale, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) score, and other endpoints were assessed., Findings: Postoperative dorsal foot skin temperature was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group. Visual analog scale and SAS scores were significantly lower in the observational group than in the control group., Conclusions: The collaborative nursing care model enhanced collaboration between patient and health care providers, shortened hospital stay, and relieved postoperative pain and anxiety., (Copyright © 2019 American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Treatment of diabetes costs the United States an estimated $245 billion annually; one-third of which is related to the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We present a safe, efficacious, and economically prudent model for the outpatient treatment of uncomplicated DFUs., Methods: 77 patients (mean age = 54 years, range 31 to 83) with uncomplicated DFUs prospectively enrolled from September 2008 through February 2012. All patients received an initial sharp debridement by one of two orthopaedic foot and ankle fellowship trained surgeons. Ulcer dressings, offloading devices, and debridement procedures were standardized. Patients were evaluated every two weeks by research nurses who utilized a clinical management algorithm and performed conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD)., Results: Average time to clinical healing was 6.0 weeks. There were no complications of CSWD performed by nurses. The sensitivity for the timely identification of wound deterioration was 100%, specificity = 86.49%, PPV = 68.75% and NPV = 100% with an overall accuracy of 89.58%. The estimated cost savings in this model by having nurses perform CSWD was $223.26 per encounter, which, when extrapolated to national estimates, amounts to $1.56 billion to $2.49 billion in potential annual savings across six to ten-week treatment periods, respectively., Conclusion: CSWD of DFUs by nurses in a vertically integrated multidisciplinary team is a safe, effective, and fiscally responsible clinical practice. This clinical model on a national scale could result in significant healthcare savings. Surgeons and other licensed independent practitioners would have more time for evaluating and treating more complex and operative patients; nurses would be practicing closer to the full extent of their education and training as allowed in most states. Level of Evidence: III ., Competing Interests: Disclosures: The author reports no potential conflicts of interest related to this study., (Copyright © The Iowa Orthopaedic Journal 2020.)

Objective: Diabetes is one of the most widespread diseases in Germany. Common complications are diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), which are associated with a cost-intensive treatment and serious adverse events, such as infections, amputations. This cost-effectiveness analysis compares two treatment options for patients with DFU: a TLC-NOSF dressing versus a neutral dressing, assessed through a European double-blind randomised controlled trial (RCT), Explorer., Methods: The evaluation of the clinical outcomes was associated to direct costs (costs for dressings, nursing time, hospitalisation etc.) of both dressings, from the perspective of the statutory health insurance in Germany. Due to the long mean healing time of a DFU, the observation period was extended from 20 to 100 weeks in a Markov model., Results: After 20 weeks, and with complete closure as a primary endpoint, the model revealed direct treatment costs for DFU of €2,864.21 when treated with a TLC-NOSF dressing compared with €2,958.69 with the neutral control dressing (cost-effectiveness: €6,017.25 versus €9,928.49). In the Markov model (100 weeks) the costs for the TLC-NOSF dressing were €5,882.87 compared with €8,449.39 with the neutral dressing (cost-effectiveness: €6,277.58 versus €10,375.56). The robustness of results was underlined by several sensitivity analyses for varying assumptions. The frequency of weekly dressing changes had the most significant influence in terms of parameter uncertainty., Conclusion: Overall, the treatment of DFU with a TLC-NOSF dressing is supported from a health economic perspective, because both the treatment costs and the cost-effectiveness were superior compared with the neutral wound dressing.

Aims and Objectives: To identify general competence areas for graduating registered nurses and podiatrists providing chronic wound care., Background: The provision of care for chronic wounds involves a team of multiple professionals, and registered nurses and podiatrists play an important role. However, previous studies have found that registered nurses have limited competence in wound care. In addition, there are no standardised international competence areas for the provision of chronic wound care by registered nurses and podiatrists., Design: A qualitative design was used in this study., Methods: The data were collected using six focus-group interviews with the following professionals: (a) registered nurses; (b) authorised wound care nurses; (c) nurse educators; (d) physicians; (e) podiatrists; and (f) podiatry educators (N = 23). The data were analysed using inductive and deductive content analysis. COREQ guidelines were followed, See Appendix S1., Results: The competence areas for registered nurses and podiatrists providing care for chronic wounds include knowledge, skills and performance in anatomy and physiology; aetiology, care and prevention of chronic wounds; and wound management and assessment. The competence areas also include a set of attitudes and values relating to chronic wound care and patients with chronic wounds., Conclusions: In nursing and podiatry education and in working life, teaching should focus on these areas of competence in chronic wound care. This would standardise and integrate education on wound care, especially that of chronic wounds., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Wound care is an important part of clinical practice in nursing and podiatry. It is suggested that registered nurses and podiatrists need general competence in chronic wound care to carry out evidence-based, safe, high-quality and cost-effective care. These results could be used to define registered nurses' and podiatrists' competence areas and roles in evidence-based wound care as independent healthcare professionals., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Ageing leads to a number of skin changes that not only place an older adult at risk of tissue damage, but can present as peri-wound problems for those with existing wounds, for example, incontinence-associated and moisture-associated dermatitis in individuals with pressure ulcers. Older adults with venous disease experience skin changes concomitant with venous hypertension, making the skin more at risk of breakdown, specifically the common complications of lipodermatosclerosis and venous eczema. In individuals with diabetic foot disease, skin changes related to autonomic neuropathy mean patients can experience dry skin that cracks easily, placing them at higher risk of infection. Common to all individuals with wounds requiring some sort of dressing is the risk of medical adhesive-related skin injury, where dressing application and removal need to be of the utmost priority to reduce the risk of injury. This article discusses some of the common peri-wound skin considerations in patients with chronic wounds.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer care demonstrates a beneficial approach to overcoming problems in patients with diabetes. This approach is frequently given but is not always successfully implemented due to its fragmentation amid healthcare providers. What's more, there are a number of different understandings, interchangeable languages and an absence of uniformity overlapping terminologies of meaning for diabetic foot ulcer care. Therefore, analysing the concept of diabetic foot ulcer care is important to provide a wider nursing knowledge, synthesise a greater theoretical model and drive more effective care of diabetic foot ulcer., Objective: This article aimed to analyse how the concept of diabetic foot ulcer care is clearly defined in the relevant evidence as it has several implications in nursing practice., Method: Walker and Avant's (1995) method of concept analysis was systematically used in this study., Findings: Three critical attributes of diabetic foot ulcer care were determined consisting of assessment, intervention and evaluation. Constructed cases are also presented to differentiate the concept of diabetic foot ulcer care from other concepts. This concept analysis results in the critical attributes of diabetic foot ulcer care, defines an operational definition and describes common goals that improve clarity, consistency and understanding of the concept amid healthcare professionals along with researchers., Conclusion: Effective implementation of the concept of DFU care into clinical nursing practice may undoubtedly improve patient outcomes and prevent the complexities of DFU in the years to come. Future research needs to be developed for evaluating the current use of this concept., (© 2019 Nordic College of Caring Science.)

The patient, a 60-year-old male with a combination of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, was hospitalized for peripheral arterial disease and recommended as a candidate for lower limb amputation after vascular IVR. The patient rejected this recommendation and left the hospital. The toes of both feet turned black and became mummified, which resulted in the patient being unable to walk at home and being prescribed narcotics for the pain. The patient requested home nursing where he was provided with lower limb wound care and rehabilitation to improve lower limb muscle strength together by visiting nurses and his wife. A daily regime was devised to prevent accompanying pain in the wounds, which improved gradually. The time spent together through repeated daily care helped build a relationship in which everyone involved was pleased with the improvements to the wounds. The necrotic site was auto-amputated and healed after 15 months. During this time, the feelings of the patient who did not want to amputate were considered and he was able to be cured without additional complications.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes that impact on the patient, their social environment, overall health, and on nursing practice. Nursing scholars have integrated theories on practice to overcome these problems, but a lack of agreement in the available literature acts as a barrier to implementing these in practice. For that reason, using a nursing metaparadigm as a theoretical framework would assist nurses in managing care purposefully and proactively, thus possibly improving outcomes. There has been little discussion about the nursing metaparadigm in relation to DFU care. This article aims to identify why Fawcett's theory of the nursing metaparadigm is important as a fundamental part of DFU care. Understanding this will help to elucidate the phenomenon of DFUs. Moreover, identifying the elements of the DFU care framework is essential to improve reflective practice and intervention. This article discusses the concept of the nursing metaparadigm and its implications for practice in the care of patients with DFUs.

Objective: To examine the experiences of patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs)., Method: This qualitative study, using patient interviews, focused on how inpatients receiving treatment for diabetes experience the disease. Patients were selected using a purposive sampling method., Results: A total of 15 patients participated in the study. Following analysis of patient interviews, four main themes were determined: 'developing diabetic foot', 'living with diabetic foot', 'coping with diabetic foot' and 'expectations'., Conclusion: Most of the patients were afraid of losing their feet and had difficulties in coping with the situation. Patients expected health professionals to understand the difficulties they were experiencing. To better understand the needs and experiences of patients, healthcare professionals should work with these patient groups as part of in-service training programmes. Such programmes should also include therapeutic communication techniques and models for professional patient-client communication.

Background and Aims: Diabetic foot ulcer is recognized as a consequence of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease amid individuals with diabetes. As is well known, this situation still remains a crucial problem in nursing practice. Available studies describing an algorithm of inter- related nursing interventions concerned with diabetic foot ulcers are limited. Therefore, this integrative review was aimed to present evidence-based practice for overcoming the complications of diabetic foot ulcer as well as preventing lower extremity amputation., Methods: This integrative review retrieved scientific literature from PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, SAGE Publishing and ScienceDirect databases as published from 2008 to 2017. Thirty-seven studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in this study., Results: Our findings present that neurologic and circulatory assessments were considered as primary steps prior to conducting interventions. Formulating a diagnosis based upon the assessment results is a principal part to determine appropriate interventions. Multiple experimental studies displayed the effectiveness of certain interventions consist of applying wound cleansing, advanced modern wound dressing, topical therapy, offloading, intensive diabetes education and advanced treatment modalities. Hemoglobin A1c, high-density lipoprotein, procalcitonin, the potential of hydrogen of wound fluid, wound size, neurological and circulatory status were determined as the outcomes measurement which must be correctly evaluated., Conclusion: This review contributes an algorithm for intervening diabetic foot ulcer thereby generating the given name: ADIE (Assessment, Diagnosis, Interventions, and Evaluation). A collaborative care amid multidisciplinary diabetes team is needed for implementing along with evaluating the feasibility of the study findings. Moreover, active family participation also plays a crucial role to achieve successful management of diabetic foot ulcer at home., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Objectives: Identify in patients with type 2 diabetes what changes in the feet would be associated with demographic, clinical, biochemical and treatment characteristics and which would increase the risk of mortality., Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study evaluating the alterations in feet of outpatients attended at a nursing visit. Data from the clinical history and foot exam were collected from 918 medical records of a convenience sample., Results: At 10 years, the cumulative mortality attributable to peripheral polyneuropathy was 44.7%, to peripheral artery disease was 71.7%, to both conditions were 62.4%, and to amputation was 67.6%. After multivariate analysis, duration of nursing follow-up remained as the only protective factor against death (p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The risk of death in these patients decreased when they had consultations with a nurse educator. Ischemic feet, amputation, and coronary artery disease remained independent risk factors.

Objective: Diabetes has been the fourth leading cause of death in Taiwan since 2002 and is one of the top four most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Patients who have diabetic foot, as well as their families, are faced with the burden of possible limb amputation. The aim of this study was to explore the amputation decision-making process with patients with diabetic foot and their families., Methods: Grounded theory was used in this study. Data from 16 participants at a regional hospital in Taiwan were collected using purposive sampling. The data analysis was conducted through open coding, axial coding, selective coding, and memo writing., Results: The study revealed that the core factor in the decision-making process was "amputation in order to survive." Patients and families additionally considered "the devastation of experiencing multiple diseases," "treatment of poorly healing wounds," and "facing the decision of whether to undergo amputation.", Conclusions: After understanding the patients' decision-making process regarding amputation, healthcare providers should be encouraged to empathize with such patients. Further, providers should respect the patients' and families' decision and provide them with necessary care. Future research should explore professional perspective and family members' care process for amputees to understand the decision-making process of patients who require amputation.

Objectives: To determine the impact of a diabetes nurse educator (DNE) on glycemic control in a multidisciplinary diabetes foot (MDF) clinic., Methods: A prospective cohort trial to measure the impact of a DNE on glycemic control was conducted in an MDF clinic. Change in glycated hemoglobin (A1C) levels over time was measured against the percentage of patient visits (PPVs) accompanied by a glucose meter and/or diary., Results: Increasing PPVs were significantly associated with decline in A1C levels in females. Every 10% increase in PPVs resulted in a 0.18% decrease in A1C levels (p<0.0001). To achieve a clinically important decrease of 1% in A1C levels, a 56% increase in PPVs was required. Increased A1C levels were significantly associated with higher baseline A1C levels (p<0.001) and increased hospital days for foot complications (p<0.0052)., Conclusions: Regular, face-to-face contact with a DNE in an MDF clinic has a positive impact on glycemic control in females., (Copyright © 2017 Diabetes Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The hyperbaric chamber is a particularly relevant therapy for the healing of chronic wounds such as radiation-induced wounds, ulcers, diabetic foot or osteomyelitis. This article describes the pathway of a patient with a chronic wound from the perspective of a hyperbaric medicine nurse., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The amniotic membrane has biological properties that are beneficial to the wound healing process of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Our aim is to analyse the scientific evidence found in literature on the use of the amniotic membrane to stimulate DFU healing., Method: A systematic review of amniotic membrane's influence was undertaken, using the search terms 'placenta' 'diabetic foot' 'amnion' and biological dressing', assessing the outcomes 'wound healing' and 'wound healing time', in DFU. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomised controlled trials (RCT) were identified, and the risk of bias was analysed according to the Cochrane risk of bias tool. We conducted a meta-analysis of the two outcomes to evaluate the level of evidence., Results: We identified six clinical trials, with a total of 331 patients. The most common risks of bias in the studies were selection, attrition, and detection biases. From the meta-analysis, the difference of the intervention group (amnion) in relation to the control group was statistically significant. We found that wound healing in the group treated with amniotic membrane occurs 2.32 times more often and is 32 days faster in comparison with the group that used conventional dressings., Conclusion: There is no statistical evidence to support the effectiveness of amniotic membrane in comparison with other conventional dressings. However, there is a clear tendency for the use of amniotic membrane treatment to result in a larger number of DFUs healing at a quicker rate.

Objective: Our aim was to examine histopathological changes in three chronic wounds, and to assess whether the application of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) changes the wound bed environment., Method: - Results: We recruited three patients were recruited who had a non-healing wounds in excess of eight weeks. Histopathological changes in the wound bed supported the evidence that NPWT changes the wound bed environment by reducing inflammatory damage and facilitating wound bed perfusion with angiogenesis., Conclusion: We suggest that NPWT is a valuable adjunct to aid chronic wound healing. In this case series, we observed histopathological changes and improvement in the wounds, following one week's treatment with NPWT. Further analysis should be done to demonstrate any interaction between the cells involved in the wound healing process is enhanced, growth factor performance is optimised and cell migration is achieved following NPWT, in order to facilitate the healing process.

Aims and Objectives: To assess nurses' knowledge on diabetic ulcer disease and their attitudes towards patients suffering from it and to identify factors which influence them., Background: Diabetic wound care is an evolving specialty with the rising prevalence of diabetes foot complications. As nurses play a key role in wound care, their knowledge and attitudes are important in providing optimum care to patients., Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey design., Methods: The study was conducted in three teaching hospitals. Data were collected using a pretested, validated, self-administered questionnaire from purposively recruited, voluntarily participating nurses (n = 200) who were in diabetic wound care practice for ≥1 year., Results: Lack of formal wound care training was reported by 91.2%. Mean knowledge score was 77.9 (range 53.3-100 on a scale from 0-100) with 57.8% of nurses obtaining ≥80%. Nurses demonstrated an overall positive attitude towards caring for diabetic ulcer patients (median = 41, range 23-50 on a scale from 10-50). However, the study identified deficits in core knowledge and some negative attitudes such as insensitivity to pain. Statistically significant associations were seen between nurses' knowledge and duration of nursing, wound care experience and the type of unit they are attached to. In-service education (77.2%) and knowledge sharing with peers (77.9%) were the most popular knowledge-updating sources. Although 98.6% of nurses were interested in wound care, only 8.3% wished to engage in research. No correlation was observed between nurses' knowledge and attitudes., Conclusion: Gaps in core knowledge and negative attitudes may be attributed to inadequate training, suboptimal update of knowledge and lack of interest in wound care research., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Wound care training should be made mandatory to improve quality of care given by nurses to patients with diabetic ulcers. Continuous professional development, evidence-based practices and wound care research should be encouraged., (© 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: Patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) have an increased risk of lower extremity amputation. A retrospective chart review of patients with DFUs attending the Foot Treatment and Assessment chiropodist-led outpatient clinic at an inner-city academic hospital was conducted to determine wound healing outcomes and characteristics contributing to outcomes., Method: We reviewed the complete clinical history of 279 patients with 332 DFUs spanning over a five-year period., Results: The mean age of patients was 61.5±12.5 years and most patients (83.5%) had one DFU. The majority of wounds (82.5%) were in the forefoot. Overall, 267/332 (80.5%) wounds healed. A greater proportion of wounds healed in the forefoot (82.5%) and midfoot (87.1%) than hindfoot (51.9%; p<0.001). Using a logistic regression model, palpable pedal pulse and use of a total contact cast were associated with better wound healing., Conclusion: Our findings are the first to demonstrate the benefits of chiropodists leading an acute care outpatient clinic in the management of DFUs in Canada and delivers wound healing outcomes equivalent to or exceeding those previously published.

Complicated and long-lasting wound care of diabetic foot ulcers are moving from specialists in wound care at hospitals towards community nurses without specialist diabetic foot ulcer wound care knowledge. The aim of the study is to elucidate community nurses' professional basis for treating diabetic foot ulcers. A situational case study design was adopted in an archetypical Danish community nursing setting. Experience is a crucial component in the community nurses' professional basis for treating diabetic foot ulcers. Peer-to-peer training is the prevailing way to learn about diabetic foot ulcer, however, this contributes to the risk of low evidence-based practice. Finally, a frequent behaviour among the community nurses is to consult colleagues before treating the diabetic foot ulcers.

Objective: To estimate the cost-effectiveness of using tri-layer porcine small intestine submucosa (SIS; Oasis Ultra) as an adjunct to standard care compared with standard care alone in managing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in the US, from the perspective of Medicare., Method: A Markov model was constructed to simulate the management of diabetic neuropathic lower extremity ulcers over a period of one year in the US. The model was used to estimate the cost-effectiveness of initially using adjunctive SIS compared with standard care alone to treat a DFU in the US at 2016 prices., Results: At 12 months after the start of treatment, the use of adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone is expected to lead to a 42 % increase in the number of ulcer-free months, 32 % increase in the probability of healing, a 3 % decrease in the probability of developing complicated ulcers and a 1 % decrease in the probability of undergoing an amputation. Health-care resource use is expected to be reduced by 11-14 % among patients who are initially managed with adjunctive SIS compared with those initially managed with standard care alone, with the exception of debridement, which is expected to be reduced by 35 %. Hence, the total health-care cost of starting treatment with adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone was estimated to reduce payer costs by 1% (i.e. $105 per patient) over 12 months following the start of treatment., Conclusion: Within the study's limitations, the use of adjunctive SIS instead of standard care alone improves outcome for less cost and thereby affords a cost-effective use of Medicare-funded resources in the management of neuropathic foot ulcers among adult patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus in the US.

Objective: A previous study suggested that the frequency with which patients visit wound care clinics influences the rate of chronic wound healing but high bias was present with regard to wound care centre selection. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to confirm this finding by using a very large sample size of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) from the US Wound Registry., Method: Patients who visited the clinic more than once for a new DFU were eligible for study inclusion. No exclusion was made with regard to Wagner grade, wound severity, or patient comorbidity. A Cox regression was conducted to analyse time to heal within 1 year using covariates known or suspected to influence wound healing, including visit frequency., Results: In terms of relative effect size, covariates that impeded wound healing the most were wound age and visit frequency with lower visit frequencies associated with lower probabilities of wound healing. Compared with DFUs (n=39,750) seen at a frequency of 7.5 times or more per 4 weeks, wounds seen at intervals of 2 weeks or less had a hazard ratio of 0.098 [(95% confidence interval: 0.09-0.11]. Using a separate breakpoint of ≥2 versus < 2 per 4 weeks specifically for the estimate of overall effect size, Cohen's w was 0.14-a small-to-medium effect size., Conclusion: Our findings confirm previous work and have implications for clinical practice and analysis of uncontrolled studies.

Introduction: Patients with chronic ulcers have physical, social, and psychological changes that directly affect their quality of life., Objectives: To evaluate the quality of life and analyze the association between personal and health characteristics in patient quality of life for those with chronic ulcers., Method: A cross-sectional study, nonprobabilistic. The questionnaire to evaluate personal and health characteristics and the Ferrans and Power Quality of Life Index-Wound Version were used for the data collection. The sample consisted of 200 patients with chronic ulcers of several etiologies (venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and mixed) recruited at the basic health units in two cities in the South of Minas Gerais, Brazil., Results: Overall, the study found that their quality of life was rated as good. There was a positive correlation between the different ages (P = 0.0165), number of children (P = 0.0083), and practice of religion (P = 0.0394) with quality of life., (Copyright © 2016 Society for Vascular Nursing, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

When Ruth Miller looks at the latest figures on diabetes-related foot amputations, she admits that her heart sinks a little. As Poole NHS Foundation Trust's lead diabetes nurse, she knows the devastation the disease can wreak on people's feet. Yet this message does not seem to be getting through.

This article explores local barriers to diabetic foot ulcer healing, and describes the use of a dressing designed to manage exudate, infection and biofilm (AQUACEL® Ag+ dressing (AQAg+)) on recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers. The authors consider four case studies that demonstrate how managing local barriers to wound healing with antimicrobial and anti-biofilm dressings in protocols of care can improve outcomes for patients.

Objective: To describe the most common types of wounds indicated for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and the results., Method: Cross-sectional study at a Hyperbaric Centre in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The medical records of 200 patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen were reviewed from January to November 2013. The variables of the persons, clinical, indications, number of sessions and wound care were analysed by means of descriptive statistics and the chi-square test of association incorporating Yates's correction with a level of 5%., Results: The wounds that were most frequently indicated for hyperbaric oxygen therapy were venous ulcers, traumatic injury and diabetic foot. Patients with chronic wounds had fewer sessions (61.1%) and their wounds healed or were reduced (62.0%) compared to those with acute wounds., Conclusion: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an effective treatment for patients with chronic wounds.