Discuss about the Nursing Management of Diabetic Foot.
Reports emanating from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that by 2000, the number of patients suffering from diabetes had reached 171 million with the figure being prospected to escalate to 380 million by the year 2025 (WHO, 2016). Existing evidence is enough demonstration of the sub sequential consequences that have prevailed on the patients themselves, providers of healthcare and to the community at large. To the patients, for instance, Diabetes malady leads to excess glucose (a type of sugar) in their blood. As times moves by, surplus content of glucose in the blood damages the body’s organs. Conceivable impediments include damage to small (microvascular) and large (macrovascular) blood vessels, which can contribute to stroke, heart attack, and complications with the gums, nerves, feet, kidneys, and eyes. The solution to this menace can only therefore be attained through close interrelationships between people and health systems. Previous studies have also gone further into proving that of all diabetic patients, 15% of them will suffer from diabetic foot ulcer throughout their entire life. Diabetic patients find this type of ulcer as the most common cause of their hospitalization.
It is worth noting that whenever adequate care is not availed to diabetic foot ulcers, severe conditions which include gangrene, other infections, amputations and even death may result (McDermott, 2016). Risk factors associated with the progress of diabetic foot ulcers are older age, cigarette smoking, infection, poor glycemic control, ischemia of small and large blood vessels, previous foot ulcerations or amputations, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral vascular disease. Previous antiquity of foot disease, foot malformations which create strangely weakened ability to look after personal care (for example visual impairment), renal failure, oedema, high forces of pressure are further risk factors concomitant with diabetic foot ulcer. It has been documented that the rate of amputation of the lower limbs in non-diabetic patients is generally 30 times lower that of diabetic patients it has again been proven that diabetes results to one leg being amputated every thirty seconds worldwide. Generally, two years after the first amputation, the patient is at a 50% risk to undergo a second amputation. About three years after the amputation of the lower limb, death occurs to more than 50% of the patients.
Dr. Patricia Benner, a nursing theorist formulated a model of the stages to be adopted towards clinical competence (Benner, 2001) as documented in her book, “From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice.” This is what later adopted the name Benner Novice Theory. The first stage is referred to as Novice. Usually the student here is at his/her first year of education. Such students have very limited potential of predicting the possible outcomes of patients in particular situations. Such a student is able to recognize complex signs and symptoms which could include variations in mental status only after exposure to patients with similar signs. At the second stage, the student graduates to an advanced beginner. It is here that they have already gained relevant and adequate experience to enable them distinguish meaningful and recurrent compositions of a patient’s situation. However, although they have already grasped substantial amounts of knowledge and knowledge, they are still in deficit of adequate in-depth experience (Utley, 2010).
At the third stage, they are to acquire relevant competency (Siviter, 2013). Though the student is now sailing towards nursing excellence, the main hindering block at this stage is lack of flexibility and speed that is required of a proficient nurse. They have however mastered relevant skills on the art of advanced organisation and planning. They however need to make recognition of nature and patterns of clinical situations at a quicker pace so as to distinguish themselves from advanced beginners. The student now becomes proficient at the fourth stage. Here, they are able to integrate situations wholly rather than partly (Fitzpatrick & Wallace, 2006). Proficient nurses have the capability to make modifications to plans as a way of responding to different situations while at the same time they have the ability to tell the events that are to occur by basing on past experiences.
The fifth and final stage is where the students become an expert in the field. Here, the nurse is able to attain his/her goals by recognizing the demand s and resources to apply in particular situations. Such a nurse knows exactly what is supposed to be done and therefore no longer relies on rules for guidance whenever taking actions for any situation (Masters, 2014). Basing on their deep experience and knowledge, they have already grasped the go about of any kind of situation that may prevail. They have again learnt to focus on situations that are of great relevance while at the same time dedicating less focus on irrelevant situations. Whenever they are in deficit of experience, most probably due to the occurrence of a new event, or when events occur contrary to expectations, expert nurses embrace the use of analytical tools in order to get the way forward in terms of the directions to adopt in such a situation (DeLaune, Ladner, McTier, Tollefson , & Lawrence, 2016).
The chief aim of this project was to identify the various factors that cause foot infections in a diabetic patient. Also studied are the various factors that are the chief drivers towards development of diabetic foot ulcers. Various methods of preventing the same were identified and patient education identified as the most effective way of caring for diabetic foot. Appropriate resources were reviewed to come up with relevant information for to boost success if the project. In connection to this, the articles that were reviewed were, Wells, C. (2015, September). Orchestrating Healing: a Grounded Theory of Registered Nurses Caring for Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers, McDermott, A. (2016). Diabetes and amputation. Healthline amongst other books.
For any person suffering from diabetes, the levels of blood sugars or blood glucose is definitely too high (Ruhl, 2017). With passage of time, such high levels cause damage to blood vessels or to the nerves. Diabetes instigated nerve damage causes one to completely loose feeling in their feet and as a result such individuals may not feel a sore, blister or even a cut (Holt, 2009). Such foot injuries are the key causal factors of infections and ulcers. It is of great significance for individuals and more precisely diabetes patients to seek medical intervention upon noticing such sores as serious cases would even result to amputation of the limbs. Damage caused on blood vessels also mean that there is no proper circulation of oxygen and blood and hence healing of the foot may prove hard. Treatment efforts are also rendered fruitless as poor blood circulation sees to it that antibiotics ingested do not get to the infection site. Once a person has developed such diabetic foot problems, it is of great significance that they receive intensive nursing care to propel healing of their condition in relation to quality nursing care.
There are several keys compelling factors towards diabetic foot problems, the key amongst them being the type of footwear that an individual use (Nather, 2008). Shoes that are poorly fitting are the leading factors towards the same. Presence of blisters, corns, sore spots, consistent pain, calluses and/or red spots in the legs, with the pre-mentioned being directly attributable to poor footwear, new shoes that are properly fitting must be obtained with immediate effect. Poorly controlled diabetes or that which could be long-standing greatly increases the risks of such individuals of suffering from peripheral neuropathy. A wide range of infections are also known to trigger diabetic foot problems (Edmonds, Foster, & Sanders, 2008). Serious bacterial infections could emanate from Athlete’s foot which is just a fungal infection. Toenail fungus should be treated with immediate effect and is to be avoided by involving a foot specialist in handling ingrown toenails. It is also worth noting that any form of tobacco that is smokes results to damage of blood vessels located in the legs.
Observations have been made that in prevention of lower limb amputation and generally foot ulcers resulting from diabetic conditions, nurses play an important and equally effective role by running educational intervention programs, screening of people deemed to be at higher risks and provision of health care. It is of great significance that all diabetic patients and more-so those at higher risks of acquiring foot ulcers to familiarize themselves with the necessary basics of good foot care. Research have shown that nurse-provided patient education relating to adequate foot care has been an effective move on management of diabetic foot (Bulechek, Butcher, Dochterman, & Wagner, 2013). Nurses can therefore offer teachings on how to conduct daily feet examination and care. It is also a duty for nurses to encourage diabetic patients to routinely clean their feet and carry out continued care on their skin and nails. Nurses are however supposed to evaluate specific requirements of individual patients and as a result design specified educational programs to offer to the patient in question and to their families. They can additionally induce family members of the patient to actively participate in the education program for them to capture the essence of visiting the clinic regularly, taking blood tests at regular intervals and how to prevent diabetes complications (Wells, 2015). The table below outlines the basic diabetic foot care principles that are gained through nurse education to patients.
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ü Daily examination of feet for swellings, discoloration of skin surface, cracks on the skin, numbness and pain. ü Implementation of self-help techniques such as use of mirrors to aid in examination of feet. ü Maintaining proper foot hygiene by washing feet and then drying them properly more so between the fingers on a daily basis. ü Regulating the temperature of water to ensure its appropriate before dipping foot in for washing. ü To always wear socks before wearing shoes and to avoid walking bear footed. ü To make choices of shoes that are fitting. Afternoon is the most appropriate time for making purchases of shoes. ü Fingernails are to be cut directly and regularly. ü Foot lesions e.g. corn should not be manipulated at all costs. ü Creams rich in moisture should be applied on dry surfaces to keep them moist but exempting between the fingers. ü Whenever they note any reduction in visual acuity, they should seek professional help. |
There are three major contributors of diabetic foot ulcer namely, peripheral vascular disease, infections and peripheral neuropathy (Latov, 2006). The pre mentioned factors are the major causes of amputations and gangrene. 80% of diabetic foot ulcers are however solely caused by peripheral neuropathy (Lavery, Peters, & Bush, 2010). Nurses involved in the foot care specialty are therefore involved beginning from the early stages of treatment and care. Some of the major roles that they indulge in include offering education, examination & screening and dressing of the wound. Screening is primarily aimed at detecting diabetic foot problems early, identifying those at risk of suffering from foot ulcers and therefore reduce the overall number of patients. The table below outlines the steps involved in dressing of a diabetic foot ulcer (Shai & Maibach, 2004).
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i. Prepare a whirlpool bath and dip the foot in it. ii. By use of a catheter and syringe, wash away the dead tissue that is in the ulcer. iii. Apply wetness to a dry cotton wool and use it to remove dead tissue from the ulcer. iv. Apply enzymes on the ulcer to help in dissolution of dead tissue found on the wound. v. On the ulcer, apply special maggots that will eat away only the dead skin and simultaneously produce substances that are of a chemical nature to aid in healing of the culture. vi. Dress the wound using a clean and treated bandage. vii. The dressing should be changed at least twice per day. |
From the above studies, it prevailed that change process was necessary in order to effect appropriate care. The most significant change that ought to be implemented with immediate effect was to offer additional education by means introducing short courses to nurses directly involved in nursing care of patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Additionally, nurses should embark on home to home visits for diabetic patients to educate them on the basic management practices for diabetic foot. Home to home visits will prove more effective as the nurses involved will reach out to majority of patients including those who previously never attended clinics.
Conclusion
Diabetic foot which is the main trigger of hospitalization of diabetic patients has been identified as a major concern in the health care systems. Individuals suffering from this disease frequently develop diabetic neuropathy owing to numerous neurovascular and metabolic factors. Peripheral neuropathy leads to loss of feeling or pain in the feet, legs, arms, and toes, and because of low blood flow and distal nerve impairment. Sores and blisters appear on numb sections of the legs and feet such as metatarso-phalangeal intersections, heel part and as a consequence injury or pressure goes unobserved and finally become gateway of entry for infection and bacteria. In addition to playing their role in public education, health care, management of health systems, improvement of life quality and caring for patients, nurses who are members of the team involved with diabetes care ought to fully attend specialized training. This will help them embark on implementation of the latest instructions concerning diabetic foot care in a bid to enhance effectiveness of their services in promotion of the health of diabetic patients. This therefore calls for short term training courses to educate nurses on how enforce algorithms and clinical guidelines for diabetic care in hospitals and clinics.
Benner, P. E. (2001). From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. Prentice Hall.
Bulechek, G. M., Butcher, H. K., Dochterman, J. M., & Wagner, C. (2013). Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC)6: Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) (Revised ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.
DeLaune, S. C., Ladner, P. K., McTier, L., Tollefson, J., & Lawrence, J. (2016). Fundamentals of Nursing: Australia & NZ (Revised ed.). Cengage AU.
Edmonds, M. E., Foster, A. M., & Sanders, L. (2008). A Practical Manual of Diabetic Foot Care (2 ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Fitzpatrick, J. J., & Wallace, M. (2006). Encyclopedia of Nursing Research. Springer Publishing Company.
Holt, P. (2009). Diabetes in Hospital: A Practical Approach for Healthcare Professionals. John Wiley & Sons.
Latov, N. (2006). Peripheral Neuropathy: When the Numbness, Weakness and Pain Won’t Stop. Demos Medical Publishing.
Lavery, L. A., Peters, E. J., & Bush, R. (2010). High Risk Diabetic Foot: Treatment and Prevention (Illustrated ed.). CRC Press.
Masters, K. (2014). Nursing Theories: a Framework for Professional Practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
McDermott, A. (2016). Diabetes and amputation. healthline. Retrieved 06 07, 2018, from https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-amputation
Nather, A. (2008). Diabetic Foot Problems. World Scientific.
Ruhl, J. (2017). Blood Sugar 101: What They Don’t Tell You About Diabetes (Vol. 1). Pronoun.
Shai, A., & Maibach, H. I. (2004). Wound Healing and Ulcers of the Skin: Diagnosis and Therapy – The Practical Approach. Springer Science & Business Media.
Siviter, B. (2013). The Student Nurse Handbook3: The Student Nurse Handbook. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Utley, R. (2010). Theory and Research for Academic Nurse Educators: Application to Practice. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Wells, C. (2015, September). Orchestrating Healing: a Grounded Theory of Registered Nurses Caring for Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers. ResearchGate. Retrieved 06 07, 2018, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281971866_Orchestrating_Healing_a_Grounded_Theory_of_Registered_Nurses_Caring_for_Patients_with_Diabetic_Foot_Ulcers
WHO. (2016, 04 07). Diabetes: Global Report on Diabetes. Retrieved from World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/diabetes/global-report/en/
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