Title : Development of an education module for nurses aimed at enhancing foot care assessment skills for patients during an in-patient hospitalization
Abstract:
Background:
Poor foot health can have a negative effect on both physical and emotional wellbeing along with impacting quality of life. Individuals living with foot complications are at an increased risk for depression linked to loss of function and independence alongside financial stress related to loss of income and medical expenses. To optimize foot health; medical providers and patients must play active roles in the provision and adherence to treatment/care plan. Improving foot health requires early screening of risk factors such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), pressure injuries and loss of protective sensation (LOPS) to prevent or delay the development of foot disease.
Purpose: Implement an education module to enhance foot care assessment skills for nurses that work in an in-patient hospital setting utilizing an evidenced based foot screen tool. The aim is to improve nurses’ ability to identify risk factors for foot diseases and the presence of foot disease.
Methods: Utilization of a 14-page voice over power point with a short video imbedded providing instructions on how to complete a foot screening utilizing the Check, Protect and Referral (CPR) for the Feet of Patients with Diabetes screening tool. The Check phase of the foot screening takes approximately 30 seconds to complete and provides next steps if a foot abnormality is identified by implementing the Protect and Referral phases. During the screening process the nurse will also review a 10-item self-foot care checklist with the patient and based on the checklist results provide educational materials on how to provide self-foot care. After completion of the education module the nurse will complete a short quiz and evaluation form used to measure the improvement of knowledge.
Results: The education module was implemented on a medical/surgical floor with twenty-five nurses. 32 % of the nurses completed the education module and there was 100% agreement that it would be possible to include the foot assessment training into their current practices. The nurses were satisfied/very satisfied with the module and felt that the topics covered were applicable to their role as a medical/surgical nurse.
Conclusion: The implementation of an education program for nursing staff aimed at enhancing clinical foot assessment skills could improve both the physical and emotional well-being for individuals at risk for developing diabetic foot ulcer (DFU’s) and/or amputations. The inclusion of the CPR foot screening method by nurses for at-risk patients can assist in reducing or delaying the development of a DFU which reduces medical costs and improves quality of life. The goal of utilizing this educational program is to improve clinical footcare skills and increase foot care knowledge for both the nurse and patient while improving foot health. Future recommendation will be to assess to frequency of nursing staff performing foo assessment and the effect on the increase or decrease in diagnosis of DFUs.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Importance of early screening of risk factors such as diabetic foot ulcers, pressure injuries and loss of protective sensation.
- How to utilize the Check, Protect and Referral (CPR) for the Feet of Patients with Diabetes screening tool.
- Benefit of implementing an education module for nurses aimed at enhancing foot care assessment.
