The contribution of the wound care nurse in developing a diabetic foot clinic

Reports on a study that focuses on the specific roles of the nurse within the interdisciplinary team as an example of how nursing contributes to developing clinical effectiveness in wound healing. The multidisciplinary team approach used here builds on recommendations by Edmonds as the most effective method of delivering care to patients with diabetic foot ulceration. In particular, monitors the evolution of the service provided and patient outcomes by measuring the number of ulcers treated, the level of service provided, record keeping and patient outcome. The contribution of the wound care nurse includes the assessment of the status and progress of ulcers presented at the clinic. Argues that, as research in wound care has evolved, so the contribution of the nurse has grown (in line with NHS recommendations) with a broader range of wound features assessed and documented. In evaluating improvements in recording information, three indicators were used. Ulcer size and type were recorded in 1993 on 2.2 per cent and 17.8 per cent of occasions respectively. By 1999 these had progressed to being recorded on 100 per cent of occasions. Assessments of ulcer edge also showed an improvement, being recorded on 11.1 per cent of occasions in 1993 and 50.6 per cent of occasions in 1999. The detail of record keeping allowed the data collection.