A systematic review of multidisciplinary teams to reduce major amputations for patients with diabetic foot ulcers

The diabetic foot ulcer

“…3,4 A systematic review has shown that initiation of a multidisciplinary team care model resulted in a reduction in major amputations in 94% (31 of 33) of studies. 5 There are many factors involved in the development of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes. The two most important risk factors are peripheral neuropathy (sensory, motor and autonomic) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD).…”

“…The best approach to diabetic foot ulcers involves a multidisciplinary team that can comprise but not be limited to: GPs, endocrinologists, podiatrists, wound care nurses, vascular surgeons and infectious diseases specialists. 5 If there is a wound care clinic available, referral to this service is also advised for ongoing specialist wound management.…”

Diabetisches Fußsyndrom – eine multiprofessionelle Herausforderung

“…Zur weiterführenden, differenzierten Abklärung und Behandlung DFS-assoziierter Komplikationen bedarf es in speziellen Fällen darüber hinaus Konsultationen weiterer Spezialisten [5]: ▪ Radiologen, ▪ Angiologen, ▪ Gefäßchirurgen sowie ▪ Neurologen und orthopädische Chirurgen.…”

Elaboration of a flowchart for healthcare quality improvement of patients with diabetic foot ulcer

“…The multi-professional team's care for patients with diabetic foot ulcers requires several actions such as the elaboration of the care plan more efficiently (6). It is possible to identify, through a previous study, that the multi-professional evaluation with attention encompassing holistic view avoids amputations and diminishes the reulcerations, since that the teams will work for glycaemic control, treatment of wound bed, venous insufficiency management and secondary infections prevention (7). However, it is common some difficulties for achieving goals as avoiding amputations and reucerations in patients with diabetic foot ulcers due to the lack of multi-professionals teams acting in municipal and state reference centres for assisting this group (6).…”