Document Type

Article

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Diabetic foot complications, including infections, ulcers, and amputations, present a significant health risk for Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. These complications necessitate routine screenings for detection and treatment, which many clinics lack despite strong evidence supporting their efficacy. This project aims to determine if using diabetic foot screening tools will enhance type 2 diabetic foot care practices in the clinic compared to previous practices.

Methods: This project utilizes quasi-experimental and quantitative with pre-test and post-test components to analyze outcome differences and establish variable relationships. It uses the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle to introduce a routine diabetic foot screening protocol for patients with T2DM (18+ years) in an outpatient clinic. The protocol focuses on staff training, patient education, and standardized screening tools like the Inlow 60-Second Diabetic Foot Screen.

Result: The study includes 43 type 2 diabetic patients, predominantly male (74.4%), while females were 25.6%. The results reveal that the statistical analysis confirmed a significant improvement in knowledge scores following the intervention, with a 24.0% increase. However, the targeted 50% improvement was not achieved due to high baseline scores. Additionally, a paired sample t-test demonstrated a substantial increase in completed foot exams postintervention, indicating enhanced screening practices by clinic staff. According to Inlow’s 60- Second Screening criteria, 93% of patients require annual screenings, while 7% should undergo screenings every 6 to 12 months along with foot care education. 7% exhibited toenail changes and bunions. 3% had fungus, prior amputation, and peripheral arterial disease, while 77% were found to have inappropriate footwear. Two referrals were made to a vascular surgery and one to a podiatrist. Overall, 93% of screened patients were identified as very low risk and 7% as moderate risk.

Conclusion: Routine diabetic foot screenings are crucial in managing T2DM, as they help identify foot complications early. Implementing this quality improvement project (QIP) in an outpatient setting highlights the benefits of incorporating routine screenings to enhance patient outcomes, minimize the risk of severe foot complications, and decrease healthcare expenses related to care for diabetic foot health. Keywords:

Publication Date

5-2025

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Available for download on Saturday, December 14, 2030

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