Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway

• Overview

Step 1: Screening / Step 2: Assessment

• Diabetes Foot Screening Tool - identifies level of risk and risk factors
• Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway Healthcare Provider’s Guide - guides the provider through the Diabetes Foot Screening Tool

Step 3: Referral / Step 4: Treatment / Step 5: Follow-Up

• Diabetes Foot Risk Assessment Triage Referral Form - assists in navigating the patient to the right service and treatment
• Diabetes Foot Care Referral Process Guidelines - provides an overview of the referral options

Referral Criteria & Process

For information about referral criteria and process, contact the individual locations or visit the Alberta Referral Directory.

• High Risk Foot Teams (HRFT) – Accept referrals for patients at risk of a diabetic ulcer or with an ulcer/wound present.

• Wound Clinics (WC) – Accept referrals if the patient has a diabetic ulcer or wound.

Locations

North Zone

• Slave Lake Healthcare Centre - Family Care Clinic (HRFT)

Edmonton Zone

• WestView Health Centre, Stony Plain - Wound and Infusion Clinic (WC)
• Misericordia Community Hospital - Wound Clinic (WC)
• Royal Alexandra Hospital - Outpatient Department, Diabetic Foot Clinic (WC)

Central Zone

• Red Deer, Central Alberta Orthopedics (WC)
• Vegreville (HRFT)

Calgary Zone

• Peter Lougheed Centre - Diabetic Foot & Preservation Centre (HRFT)
• Sheldon M. Chumir Health Centre - Sheldon Chumir Wound Clinic (WC)

South Zone

• Brooks Home Care - Home Care Services (HRFT)
• Lethbridge Centre  - Home Care Services (HRFT)

Resources to enable self-care and to identify when to seek medical help for foot problems.

• Foot Care for People with Diabetes - describes risk levels and how to perform self-care
• Patient Handouts
  • Diabetic Foot Care for the Low Risk Foot
  • Diabetic Foot Care for the Moderate Risk Foot
  • Diabetic Foot Care for the High Risk Foot

Patient Information Insert In collaboration with the Alberta Pharmacy Association an insert encouraging patients to ask their healthcare provider for an annual foot exam. This information can be included with prescriptions for patients with diabetes.

For an electronic copy of the patient information insert, email diabetesobesitynutrition.scn@ahs.ca

Alberta Aids to Daily Living

• Therapeutic Footwear Vendors
• Recognized High Risk Foot Teams

Alberta Foot Care Nurse Services

• for a copy of a list of foot care nurse services in Alberta please email diabetesobesitynutrition.scn@ahs.ca

Alberta Health Services

• Chronic Disease Management, Alberta Healthy Living Program - Patients
• Diabetes, Primary Health Care Resource Centre - Healthcare Providers
• Diabetes Information and Advice Line - Healthcare Providers

Ankle Brachial Pressure Index and Toe Pressures
 For arterial vascular lower leg assessments - contact local medical imaging providers

College of Podiatric Physicians

• Find a Podiatrist

Primary Care Networks (PCNs)
Many PCN’s offer services to address patients at risk of developing a diabetic ulcer – PCN Services

Annual Foot Assessment

Why a Proper Foot Assessment is Important
Description: Illustrates why it is essential to have a foot screen/assessment every year by a health care provider as part of their overall diabetes management plan

Videos from Diabetes Foot Care Symposium June 2, 2017, Edmonton, Alberta

Saving limbs and lives in your community - Mariam Botros
Description: Recognizing the impact of foot complications that contribute to amputations and strategies that can lead to the prevention of amputations

The Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway Project Overview - Petra O’Connell
Description: The Diabetes, Obesity & Nutrition Strategic Clinical Network with clinical experts from across Alberta developed a clinical pathway for diabetes foot care to increase diabetic foot screening rates and prevention of ulcers

Outcomes and Evaluation‐What the Alberta Evidence has Shown - Kathy Dmytruk
Description: Outcomes and evaluation metrics from the Alberta diabetes foot care clinical pathway initial pilot site

Footwear‐Finding the Proper Fit - David Loh
Description: Assessing and recommending appropriate footwear is the foundation for preventing diabetic foot ulcers

Foot Care Tips and Tricks for Self‐Management - Chris Rawlins and Karen Hardy
Description: Innovative ideas to support patients with foot self‐care