Diabetes Foot Care Clinical Pathway

• Overview
• Pathway Implementation Guide: This guide supports primary care providers and teams in implementing the pathway into their practice.
  • Services Map
• eLearning Module

Saving Limbs and Lives
PHC Portal

AHS staff should access the module via MyLearningLink to receive credit for it.

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
• How to Perform a Foot Screen Video (YouTube)
• Diabetes Foot Care Awareness Poster– Awareness tool for providers to print out
• Screening Tool is available in the following Electronic Medical Records:
  • Accuro
  • Healthquest
  • Med Access
  • For PS Suite, please contact don.scn@ahs.ca

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
• Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines, Chapter 32 Foot Care
• Specialist LINK - Diabetes Foot Care Pathway (Calgary Zone)

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.

• High Risk Foot Teams Roles and Responsibilities:  guides providers who want to form a HRFT and/or understand the roles and responsibilities of a HRFT.

Locations

North Zone

• Mackenzie Place - High Risk Foot Clinic (HRFT)
• Slave Lake Healthcare Centre - Family Care Clinic (HRFT)

Edmonton Zone

• Baker Clinic - Diabetic Foot & Limb Preservation Clinic (HRFT)
• Edmonton West Primary Care Network-Lower Leg Assessment Clinic (HRFT)
• Misericordia Community Hospital - Wound Clinic (WC)
• Royal Alexandra Hospital - Outpatient Department (Diabetic Foot Clinic) (WC)
• WestView Health Centre, Stony Plain - Wound Clinic (WC)

Central Zone

• Central Alberta Orthopedics - Diabetic Foot Clinic (WC)
• St. Mary's Hospital, Interdisciplinary Lower Extremity Clinic (HRFT)
• Vegreville (HRFT)

Calgary Zone

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

South Zone

• Brooks Home Care - Home Care Services (HRFT)
• Melcor 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
• Diabetes Foot Health Self-Screening Tool – guides patients in checking and caring for their feet at home
• 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
Developed in collaboration with the Alberta Pharmacy Association, this is a resource that informs and encourages patients to ask their healthcare provider for an annual foot exam.

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

Alberta Aids to Daily Living, Alberta Health

• Therapeutic Footwear Vendors
• Recognized High Risk Foot Teams

Alberta Foot Care Nurse Services

• Diabetes Foundation: Resources, Site Links
• Alberta Foot Care Nurses (listed by community)

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 of Alberta

• Find a Podiatrist

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

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

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