Australian Diabetes Foot Network: management of diabetes-related foot ulceration - a clinical update.
Appropriate assessment and management of diabetes-related foot ulcers (DRFUs) is essential to reduce amputation risk. Management requires debridement, wound dressing, pressure off-loading, good glycaemic control and potentially antibiotic therapy and vascular intervention. As a minimum, all DRFUs should be managed by a doctor and a podiatrist and/or wound care nurse. Health professionals unable to provide appropriate care for people with DRFUs should promptly refer individuals to professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills. Indicators for immediate referral to an emergency department or multidisciplinary foot care team (MFCT) include gangrene, limb-threatening ischaemia, deep ulcers (bone, joint or tendon in the wound base), ascending cellulitis, systemic symptoms of infection and abscesses.  Referral to an MFCT should occur if there is lack of wound progress after 4 weeks of appropriate treatment.
Australian Diabetes Foot Network, Australian Diabetes Society, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Shan M
SM
Bergin
Joel M
JM
Gurr
Bernard P
BP
Allard
Emma L
EL
Holland
Mark W
MW
Horsley
Maarten C
MC
Kamp
Peter A
PA
Lazzarini
Vanessa L
VL
Nube
Ashim K
AK
Sinha
Jason T
JT
Warnock
Jan B
JB
Alford
Paul R
PR
Wraight
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia; D001458:Bandages; D003646:Debridement; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents