title: The role of the community clinician in early detection, referral and treatment of critical limb ischaemia.
abstract: Critical limb ischaemia (CLI) is a significant public health issue worldwide, with an ever-growing incidence among people over 65. Awareness of CLI is low, particularly among non-vascular clinicians, leading to underdiagnosis and undertreatment. A diagnosis of CLI is known to have a grave effect on a person's quality of life, with devastating outcomes for both their life and limb, often resulting in uncontrolled pain, amputation or early death from a cardiovascular event. Community nurses and podiatrists are key clinicians who can play a crucial and active role in earlier identification, rapid referral and ongoing non-surgical care for this overlooked population.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Nurse Specialist, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Vascular Specialist Podiatrist, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Consultant Vascular Radiologist, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Dare
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seriki
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation