Diabetic foot ulcers: evaluating the role of the specialist advanced practice nurse in complex chronic wounds.
Br J Nurs
; 33(15): S4-S15, 2024 Aug 13.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39141327
ABSTRACT
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.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Diabetic Foot
/
Nurse's Role
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Nurs
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
United kingdom