The decision to perform an amputation is based on a complex mix of
medical and social/functional considerations. In the past, most have
measured quality of care based on numbers of amputations performed in
a set amount of time. More recently, some have advocated the use of
simple potential quality measures that can be rapidly assessed without
the necessity of population-based incidence figures. One such measure
is the the "high to low amputation". In a recent study, our guest,
James Wrobel, Associate Professor and Director of Outcomes Research at
Scholl's Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research at Rosalind
Franklin University of Medicine and Science, reported a nationwide
ratio of 1.35-- but with large variations between individual centers.
Perhaps these variations are an opportunity for intervention and the
beginning of a discussion? Also discussed is another proposed measure
of quality, William Jeffcoate's "Ulcer Free Days" concept.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hi-Low Amputation Ratios and Ulcer Free Days: Deeper Insights into Quality of Diabetic Foot Care?
CLEARcast
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CLEAR is an active clinical research unit of the
Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine at
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Visit the University at www.rosalindfranklin.edu.
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