The Effect of Clinical Pathway Implementation on Healing of Post Lower Limb Amputation for Diabetic Patients

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Technical Nursing Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

2 Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University

3 Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University

Abstract

Diabetic lower limb amputation remains the serious outcome of diabetic foot
complications. It has been consistently shown that the best results of diabetic stump care
occur when clinical pathway /an interdisciplinary approach is taken toward treatment.
Objective: To determine the effect of implementing a clinical pathway on healing of post
lower limb amputation for diabetic patients. Settings: The study was carried out in the
Vascular Unit, Department of Surgery at the Alexandria Main University Hospital and the
Private Alexandria Vascular Center (AVC) using a quasi experimental research design.
Subjects: The study included 40 adult diabetic patients undergoing first exposure to
unilateral lower limb amputation and free from vital organ failure. Study subjects are
randomly divided into control and study groups (20 patients each). Tools: Three tools were
used for data collection; Perioperative Diabetic Lower Limb Amputation Assessment,
Clinical Pathway Variances Observation Checklist and Patients' Satisfaction Scale. Results:
The study implies statistical significant difference in favor of the study group regarding
wound healing during the second to the sixth week in postoperative follow up period. The
results also imply that the study group had significantly higher satisfaction level as compared
to the control one. Conclusion: Diabetic patients underwent lower limb amputation exhibited
significantly better post clinical pathway health outcomes comparing with control one.
Recommendations: Applying the clinical pathway for diabetic patients undergoing lower
limb amputation rather than the hospital routine care is recommended.

Keywords

Alexandria Scientific Nursing Journal
Volume 17, Issue 2
December 2015
Pages 1-20

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