Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes - Registered ...

Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes
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complications in people with diabetes is an interdisciplinary and community wide endeavour.
Organizational commitment and support for implementation is critical for success. Many
settings have formalized interdisciplinary teams and the development panel strongly
supports this structure. Collaborative assessment and planning with the client is essential.
The recommendations made are not binding for nurses and should accommodate
client/family wishes and local circumstances.
It is the intention of this guideline to identify best nursing practices to help people with
diabetes reduce their risk of foot complications. It is acknowledged that individual competencies
of nurses vary between nurses and across categories of nursing professionals (RPNs and RNs)
and are based on knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment enhanced over time by experience
and education. It is expected that individual nurses will perform only those aspects of diabetes
foot assessment and education for which they have appropriate education and experience.
Further, it is expected that nurses, both RPNs and RNs, will seek consultation in instances
where the client’s care needs surpass the individual nurse’s ability to act independently.
It is acknowledged that effective care depends on a coordinated interdisciplinary approach
incorporating ongoing communication between health professionals and clients, ever mindful
of the personal preferences and unique needs as well as the personal and environmental
resources of each individual client.