Knowledge, attitudes and practices on diabetic foot care among nurses in Kimberley, South Africa.

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.

Comprehensive nursing model for diabetic foot ulcers: A strategy to improve prognosis and quality of life.

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.

Changes in daily nursing needs and self-care capability of people with diabetes after in-hospital treatment for foot complications: A descriptive study.

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.

Relação interpessoal no cuidado de enfermagem a pessoas com diabetes tipo 2 / Interpersonal relationships in the nursing care of people with type 2 diabetes / Relación interpersonal en el cuidado de enfermería a personas con diabetes tipo 2

Objetivo: analisar a efetividade da relação interpessoal no cuidado de enfermagem e sua relação com as práticas de autocuidado geral e com os pés em pessoas com diabetes tipo 2. Método: estudo transversal, analítico, realizado em um Hospital Universitário, com 150 pessoas com diabetes tipo 2 que responderam ao Questionário relação interpessoal no cuidado de enfermagem, questionário de atividades de autocuidado com diabetes e questionário da avaliação da adesão ao autocuidado com os pés. Resultados: os resultados mostraram que a efetividade da relação interpessoal no cuidado variou de moderada a alta. Os escores do questionário mostraram significância comorbidades nefropatia, acidente vascular encefálico, aderir à dieta e receber orientações sobre cuidados som os pés. Conclusão: a relação interpessoal no cuidado efetiva pode fortalecer a criação de vínculos, a confiança e verbalização de sentimentos, contribuindo para melhoria na educação em diabetes e para adesão de comportamentos de autocuidado.

Objectives: to analyze the effectiveness of the interpersonal relationship in nursing care and its relationship with general self- care and foot care in people with type 2 diabetes. Method: this cross-sectional, analytical study was conducted at a University Hospital with 150 people with type 2 diabetes who answered the Interpersonal Relationship in Nursing Care Questionnaire, a questionnaire on self-care activities with diabetes, and a questionnaire to assess adherence to feet self-care. Results: the results showed that the effectiveness of the interpersonal relationship in care ranged from moderate to high. The questionnaire scores were significant with nephropathy comorbidities, cerebrovascular accident, diet adherence, and receiving foot care guidance. Conclusion: interpersonal relationships in effective care can strengthen bonding, trust, and verbalization of feelings, improving diabetes education and adherence to self-care behaviors.

Objetivos:analizar la efectividad de la relación interpersonal en el cuidado de enfermería y su relación con las prácticas generales de autocuidado y con los pies en personas con diabetes tipo 2. Método: estudio transversal, analítico, realizado en un Hospital Universitario, con 150 personas con diabetes tipo 2 que respondieron el Cuestionario de Relación Interpersonal en el Cuidado de Enfermería, cuestionario sobre actividades de autocuidado con diabetes y cuestionario para la evaluación de adherencia al autocuidado con los pies. Resultados:los resultados mostraron que la efectividad de la relación interpersonal en el cuidado varió de moderada a alta. Los puntajes del cuestionario mostraron significación con las comorbilidades de la nefropatía, el accidente cerebrovascular, la adherencia a la dieta y recibir orientación sobre el cuidado de los pies. Conclusión:la relación interpersonal en el cuidado efectivo puede fortalecer la creación del vínculo, la confianza y la verbalización de los sentimientos, contribuyendo para una mejoría en la educación en diabetes y la adherencia a las conductas de autocuidado.

Osteomyelitis, diabetic foot ulcers and the role of the community nurse.

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.

Validação de instrumento para investigação do conhecimento de enfermeiros sobre pé diabético / Validación del instrumento para la investigación del conocimiento de enfermeros sobre pie diabético / Validation of an instrument to investigate nurses' knowledge on diabetic foot

RESUMO Objetivo: construir e validar um instrumento para investigação do conhecimento de enfermeiros da Atenção Primária à Saúde sobre pé diabético. Método: estudo metodológico realizado de janeiro a junho de 2017, que seguiu o Modelo de Elaboração de Escalas Psicométricas de Pasquali, em três etapas: teórica, empírica e analítica. Para validação de conteúdo, adotou-sea técnica de Delphi em dois momentos, com a participação de 10 juízes. A validade de construto foi realizada por 73 enfermeiros que atuavam nos serviços de APS do município de Campina Grande-PB. Aos dados, aplicou-se o Índice de Validação de Conteúdo (IVC). Resultados: construiu-se o "Questionário de Investigação do Conhecimento do Enfermeiro sobre Pé Diabético (QICEPeD)" com 47 itens organizados em 12 domínios de conhecimentos sobre a temática. Após a segunda rodada de avaliação dos juízes, todos os itens atingiram escores máximos de concordância (IVC = 1,00). A análise da confiabilidade e da consistência interna total do instrumento foi considerada elevada (α=0,860). Conclusão: o instrumento QICEPeD foi considerado válido, quanto ao conteúdo e construto, podendo ser utilizado para avaliar o conhecimento de enfermeiros da Atenção Primária sobre pé diabético.

RESUMEN Objetivo: construir y validar un instrumento para la investigación del conocimiento de enfermeros de la Atención Primaria de la Salud (APS) sobre pie diabético. Método: estudio metodológico realizado de enero a junio de 2017, que siguió el Modelo de Elaboración de Propiedades Psicométricas de Pasquali, en tres etapas: teórica, empírica y analítica. Para la validación de contenido, se adoptó el método de Delphi en dos momentos, con la participación de 10 jueces. La validez del constructo fue realizada por 73 enfermeros que actuaban en los servicios de APS del municipio de Campina Grande-PB-Brasil. Para los datos, se aplicó el Índice de Validez de Contenido (IVC). Resultados: se construyó el "Cuestionario de Investigación del Conocimiento del Enfermero sobre Pie Diabético (CICEPeD)" con 47 ítems organizados en 12 dominios de conocimientos sobre la temática. Después de la segunda ronda de evaluación de los jueces, todos los elementos alcanzaron puntajes máximos de concordancia (IVC=1,00). El análisis de la confiabilidad y de la consistencia interna total del instrumento fue considerado alto (α=0,860). Conclusión: el instrumento CICEPeD fue considerado válido, en cuanto al contenido y constructo, pudiendo ser utilizado para evaluar el conocimiento de enfermeros de la Atención Primaria sobre pie diabético

ABSTRACT Objective: to construct and validate an instrument to investigate the knowledge of Primary Health Care nurseson diabetic foot. Method: methodological study carried out from January to June 2017, followed the Development Model for Psychometric Scales by Pasquali, in three stages: theoretical, empirical and analytical. In order to validate the content, the Delphi technique was adopted in two moments, with the participation of 10 judges. Construct validity was performed by 73 nurses who worked in PHC services in the municipality of Campina Grande-PB. The Content Validation Index (CVI) was applied to the data. Results: the "Questionnaire for Investigating Nurses' Knowledge on Diabetic Foot (QICEPeD, as per its Portuguese acronym)" was constructed with 47 elements organized into 12 domains of knowledge on the topic. After the second round of judges' assessment, all elements reached maximum agreement scores (CVI = 1.00). The analysis of the instrument's reliability and total internal consistency was considered high (α=0.860). Conclusion: the QICEPeD instrument was considered valid, in terms of content and construct, and can be used to assess the level of knowledge of Primary Care nurses on diabetic foot.

Quality of life assessment in chronic wound patients using the Wound-QoL and FLQA-Wk instruments.

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.

I Cannot Afford Off-loading Boots: Perceptions of Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Engagement in Self-management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

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.

Honey dressings for diabetic foot ulcers: overview of evidence-based practice for novice researchers.

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.

Preliminary Experience with Conservative Sharp Wound Debridement by Nurses in the Outpatient Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Safety, Efficacy, and Economic Analysis.

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.

Knowledge and attitude of nurses towards diabetic foot care in a secondary health care centre in Malaysia.

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 characteristics and impact of hard-to-heal wounds: results of a standardised survey.

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.

Foot Self-Care Experiences Among Patients With Diabetes: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

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.

Nurses' Perspective of Treating Patients With an Amputation Due to Diabetic Foot Syndrome.

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.

Effectiveness of a Collaborative Nursing Care Model for the Treatment of Patients with Diabetic Foot Disease by Transverse Tibial Bone Transport Technique: A Pilot Study.

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.

Effect of nurse-led care on quality of care and level of HbA1C in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized clinical trial.

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.

Nurse practitioners and barriers to diabetic foot treatment.

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.

Efeito do grupo operativo no ensino do autocuidado com os pés de diabéticos: ensaio clínico randomizado / Efecto del grupo operatorio en la enseñanza del autocuidado con los pies de diabéticos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado / The effect of operative groups on diabetic foot self-care education: a randomized clinical trial

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o efeito do grupo operativo no ensino do autocuidado com os pés para prevenção do pé diabético. Método Ensaio clínico controlado e cego, realizado com voluntários que apresentavam Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2, randomizados em grupo tratado (55 pessoas) e grupo controle (54 pessoas). O grupo tratado recebeu a intervenção educativa "Ensino do autocuidado com os pés" e o grupo controle foi somente avaliado. As avaliações dos pés ocorreram antes e após a intervenção, bem como 15 dias depois desta (follow-up). A intervenção foi realizada por meio do grupo operativo e desenvolvida com orientação escrita, expositiva dialogada e role-playing. Foram utilizados os testes: Shapiro-Wilk, Qui-quadrado, Teste T, Mann-Whitney, McNemar e Wilcoxon emparelhado. Resultados Participaram 109 voluntários. Houve homogeneidade entre os grupos nas variáveis sociodemográficas. Na análise intergrupo, foi observada melhora após a intervenção educativa para: a maioria das variáveis dos domínios pele anexos; circulação sanguínea; sensibilidade plantar; e pressão plantar. Observou-se melhora nos escores do risco do pé diabético no grupo tratado. Conclusão A intervenção educativa por meio do grupo operativo foi eficaz, pois estimulou o autocuidado e reduziu o potencial de risco para o pé diabético. Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos: RBR- 753 Kcg.

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar el efecto del grupo operativo en la enseñanza del autocuidado de los pies para prevenir el pie diabético. Método Un ensayo clínico controlado y ciego realizado con voluntarios que padecían diabetes mellitus de tipo 2, asignados al azar a un grupo tratado (55 personas) y a un grupo de control (54 personas). El grupo tratado recibió la intervención educativa "Enseñanza del autocuidado de los pies" y el grupo de control sólo fue evaluado. Las evaluaciones de los pies se realizaron antes y después de la intervención, así como 15 días después de la intervención (seguimiento). La intervención se llevó a cabo a través del grupo operativo y se desarrolló con orientación escrita, diálogo expositivo y juego de roles. Se utilizaron las pruebas: Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-cuadrado, T-test, Mann-Whitney, McNemar y Wilcoxon pareado. Resultados 109 voluntarios participaron. Había homogeneidad entre los grupos en las variables sociodemográficas. En el análisis intergrupal, se observó una mejora después de la intervención educativa para: la mayoría de las variables de piel y anexos; la circulación sanguínea; la sensibilidad plantar; y la presión plantar. Se observó una mejora en las puntuaciones de riesgo del pie diabético en el grupo tratado. Conclusión La intervención educativa a través del grupo operativo fue eficaz, porque estimuló el autocuidado y redujo el riesgo potencial para el pie diabético. Registro Brasileño de Ensayos Clínicos (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos): RBR- 753 Kcg.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the effect of operative groups on teaching self-care for diabetic foot prevention. Method Controlled, blinded clinical trial with volunteers presenting type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, randomized into treatment (55 subjects) and control (54 subjects) groups. The treatment group received the educational intervention "Teaching foot self-care", whereas the control group was simply evaluated. Feet evaluation was conducted before and after the intervention, as well as 15 days later in a follow-up. The intervention was conducted through an operative group and developed with orientation via writing, explained through dialogue and role-playing. The following tests were used: Shapiro-Wilk, Chi-squared, t-test, Mann-Whitney, McNemar, and paired Wilcoxon. Results One-hundred and nine volunteers took part in this study. Their sociodemographic variables were homogeneous. In an analysis between groups, an improvement was observed after the educational intervention regarding most variables related to skin annexes, blood flow, foot sensitivity, and foot pressure. Improved scores for risk of diabetic foot in the treatment group were observed. Conclusion The educational intervention through operative group was efficient, for it encouraged self-care and reduced potential risk of diabetic foot. Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos): RBR- 753 Kcg.

Cost-effectiveness of TLC-sucrose octasulfate versus control dressings in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

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.