Moderate/ High infection that the wound exudate level must be carefully managed All DFU must be referred to the Multi-disciplinary Diabetes Team for holistic Exudate assessment, nurses must work in collaboration and reinforce individual health education (Refer to Liverpool and South Sefton Podiatry Service: Diabetes foot Hydrofibre Alginate Wound Type Other care advice leaflets) Foam Maintain monitoring of blood glucose. Hba1c should be at optimum level The Diabetic foot ulcers should be redressed frequently to enable close monitoring principles Treatment Aim for indications of infection. Note clinical signs of infection may be reduced of moist or absent in DFU Allow free wound drainage of healing Functions required of a dressing are: exudate have not Low adherent been Not bulky or take up too much space in shoe shown to *Debridement Able to withstand the pressures and shear forces of walking Able be to absorb large quantities of wound exudate effective in healing *Debridement diabetic Debridement of wound bed allows a deep swab to be taken and show the true foot dimensions of the wound. Debridement of the surrounding skin may be Dressings ulcers performed to minimise pressure and reduce the bacterial load by removing (DFU). devitalised tissue Low Exudate Such is Such debridement must be performed by a competent practitioner i.e. have Low adherent the high completed an accredited course in sharp debridement risk of
Wound Type Treatment Aim Allow free drainage of exudate *Debridement Dressings Low Exudate Low adherent Moderate/ High Exudate Hydrofibre Alginate Foam Other The principles of moist wound healing have not been shown to be effective in healing diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Such is the high risk of infection that the wound exudate level must be carefully managed All DFU must be referred to the Multi-disciplinary Diabetes Team for holistic assessment, nurses must work in collaboration and reinforce individual health education (Refer to Liverpool and South Sefton Podiatry Service: Diabetes foot care advice leaflets) Maintain monitoring of blood glucose. Hba1c should be at optimum level Diabetic foot ulcers should be redressed frequently to enable close monitoring for indications of infection. Note clinical signs of infection may be reduced or absent in DFU Functions required of a dressing are: Low adherent Not bulky or take up too much space in shoe Able to withstand the pressures and shear forces of walking Able to absorb large quantities of wound exudate *Debridement Debridement of wound bed allows a deep swab to be taken and show the true dimensions of the wound. Debridement of the surrounding skin may be performed to minimise pressure and reduce the bacterial load by removing devitalised tissue Such debridement must be performed by a competent practitioner i.e. have completed an accredited course in sharp debridement