Reducing the rate of amputations in acute diabetic foot infections.
Many older diabetic patients present to the emergency room with limb-threatening foot complications, and may at the same time need attention to life-threatening endocrine, cardiac, or renal complications. To better serve the elderly veteran population at our institution, we designed a multidisciplinary, algorithmic approach that links the podiatry and medicine services to facilitate appropriate referral, admission, and management, with the ultimate goal of reducing the rate of amputations.
Robbins
Jeffrey M
JM
Podiatry Service, Veterans Administration Central Office, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Jeffrey.robbins@med.va.gov
Nicklas
Bonnie J
BJ
Augustine
Sarah
S
D000465:Algorithms; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011032:Podiatry / Q000379:methods; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000628:therapy*