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

Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes
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Recommendation • 8.0
Educational institutions should incorporate the RNAO Nursing Best Practice Guideline
Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes into basic nursing education
curriculum as well as provide continuing education programs in this topic area. (Level IV)
Discussion of Evidence:
Nurses are in a key position for assessment and early intervention in reducing foot complications
for people with diabetes. If nurses are to prevent foot ulcers, they need to be knowledgeable about
the risk factors for foot ulceration, have skills in the use of tools that support early assessment to
enable implementation of preventive strategies (Neil, Knuckey & Tanenberg, 2003) and be knowledgeable
of the resources within their community for referral. In addition, nurses need to be skilled in
educating clients, and responding to their unique needs.
Please note where resources have been provided in the appendices of this document to
support nurses in this role:
Skills in conducting an assessment of the five risk factors
Risk Assessment Algorithm – Appendix C
Diabetes Foot Assessment/Risk Screening Guide – Appendix D
History or presence of previous foot ulcers
Sensation – Appendix E
Structural and biomechanical abnormalities – Appendix F
Circulation – Appendix G
Self-care behaviour and knowledge – Appendix H
Knowledge and skill in educating clients
Knowledge of adult learning principles – Appendix J
Knowledge and skill in diabetic education and client empowerment
Knowledge of sources of local referral
Knowledge and scope of diabetes education/care resources – Appendix K
Awareness of the Diabetes Education Centres programs and services of the Canadian
Diabetes Association