title: Assessing infected ulcers: a step-by-step guide.
abstract: While every attempt can be made to avoid the development of diabetic foot ulcers, it is inevitable that some patients will present with them. Once they develop, these ulcers are hard to heal, placing the patient at increased at risk of infection and, ultimately, amputation. It is vital, therefore, that health-care professionals are able to recognise the signs of increased bioburden and infection, so that prompt treatment can be given.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Podiatrist, Salford Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chadwick
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Foot Podiatry, Clinical Research Fellow, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McCardle
mesh_terms: D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*