International: Acute diabetic foot pathway - St. Vincent's University hospital, Dublin
The Acute Diabetic Foot Pathway is a multidisciplinary approach that improves patient care in St. Vincent’s University Hospital.
**How it works: **
Over a 3 year period (2012-2015) the number of patients admitted to St. Vincent’s University Hospital for the management of the acute diabetic foot increased by 52%. These patients had an average length of stay of 26 days and a readmission rate of 43% within 2 weeks of discharge. There was also a 20% increase in the number of lower limb amputations performed.
A multidisciplinary task force was established to audit the service and identify any areas for improvement. Inpatient and theatre data over a 12 month period was retrospectively analysed. The task force identified five key areas which were:
- Reduce patient length of stay (LOS)
- Streamline and improve patient care
- Improve patient outcomes
- Improve access to diagnostics and interventions
- Ensure multidisciplinary approach to patient care
The task force reviewed the current national guidelines (Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot, HSE, 2011) and international best practice guidelines to establish a quality improvement plan. From this plan, the Acute Diabetic Foot Pathway booklet was developed.
More information at http://hse.ie/eng/about/our-health-service/excellence-awards/nominees/acute-diabetic-foot-pathway/