Diabetic foot ulcers: Prevention, assessment and management

Good practice statement 1.0: It is good practice that health providers conduct diabetic foot screening for persons living with diabetes at regular intervals based on risk stratification.

Good practice statement 2.0: It is good practice that health providers support and educate persons at risk of or living with diabetic foot ulcers (and their care partners) about self-management aimed at preventing and managing foot ulcers.

Recommendation 1.0: When delivering self-management support, the expert panel suggests that health providers use person-engagement strategies that are tailored to persons at risk of or living with a diabetic foot ulcer and their care partners.

Recommendation 2.0: The expert panel suggests that persons and/or care partners perform self-screening to prevent and manage diabetic foot ulcers.

Good practice statement 3.0: It is good practice for health providers to regularly conduct a comprehensive and consistent wound assessment and document the presence and characteristics of a diabetic foot ulcer.

Recommendation 3.0: The expert panel suggests that health service organizations implement a specialized wound care team to support persons at risk of or living with diabetic foot ulcers.

Good practice statement 4.0:  It is good practice for health providers to implement a plan of care with the person living with a DFU and their care partners that includes evidence-informed management options.

Recommendation 4.0: The expert panel suggests that health providers use virtual care platforms in conjunction with in-person services to supplement the provision of diabetic foot care services.