Background
The goal for registered nurses’ (RNs’) work with patients is to pro- mote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffer- ing.1 Patients in a home nursing service are dependent on others due to aging and health conditions such as cognitive disorders, impaired vision and impaired mobility.2 Home nursing services differ in their organisation nationally and interna- tionally, depending on local political and financial frames; the service can be managed by private or public financed care givers, and there are variations in geographical size and level of care.3–6 In Sweden, a home nursing service is an integrated part of the primary care organisation, mainly organised by the municipali- ties under a medically responsible nurse. Patients eligible for a home nursing service are assessed for social and nursing needs and an individual care plan is created due to re-imbursement rules.6 Physicians employed by the county council are available daytime at the health care centres. In evenings and at night, an ambulant physician is available in
the region.3 RNs in a home nursing service work under two legislations: the Health and Medical Service Act7 and the Social Service Act.8 The RNs are responsible for the nursing process, while health care assistants (HCAs), besides their duties of pro- viding a social service, are perform- ing many nursing tasks after written delegation from the RN in accor- dance with patient safety. One diagnosis that has increased among patients who are dependent on home nursing is diabetes mellitus. With its long-term complications, such patients may constitute 10–20% of the home nursing popu lation.9–12 A European multicentre study showed that about 17% of all patients with diabetes and a new foot ulcer were in assisted living facilities, or were dependent on a home nursing service.13 A risk classification has been developed to prevent diabetes
related amputations and foot ulcers. It states that patients with diabetes and neuropathy need education or help to perform daily foot inspec- tions, washing the feet daily, use of foot cream and use of appropriate shoes.14 There are several descriptive studies stating that regular inspec- tions, appropriate footwear and off-loading are important in foot ulcer prevention; however, how to realise this in clinical practice has not been presented.15–17 A recent compi- lation of studies on nurses’ work with foot care showed that few studies regarding nurses’ knowledge and skills about foot care have been pub- lished. However, all of the assessed studies stated the importance of identifying the foot at risk.18How this preventive work takes place in home nursing settings has not been described. It seems that prevention of diabetic foot ulcer performed by RNs working in patients’ homes has been a neglected area of research.
Background
The goal for registered nurses’ (RNs’) work with patients is to pro- mote health, to prevent illness, to restore health and to alleviate suffer- ing.1 Patients in a home nursing service are dependent on others due to aging and health conditions such as cognitive disorders, impaired vision and impaired mobility.2 Home nursing services differ in their organisation nationally and interna- tionally, depending on local political and financial frames; the service can be managed by private or public financed care givers, and there are variations in geographical size and level of care.3–6 In Sweden, a home nursing service is an integrated part of the primary care organisation, mainly organised by the municipali- ties under a medically responsible nurse. Patients eligible for a home nursing service are assessed for social and nursing needs and an individual care plan is created due to re-imbursement rules.6 Physicians employed by the county council are available daytime at the health care centres. In evenings and at night, an ambulant physician is available in
the region.3 RNs in a home nursing service work under two legislations: the Health and Medical Service Act7 and the Social Service Act.8 The RNs are responsible for the nursing process, while health care assistants (HCAs), besides their duties of pro- viding a social service, are perform- ing many nursing tasks after written delegation from the RN in accor- dance with patient safety. One diagnosis that has increased among patients who are dependent on home nursing is diabetes mellitus. With its long-term complications, such patients may constitute 10–20% of the home nursing popu lation.9–12 A European multicentre study showed that about 17% of all patients with diabetes and a new foot ulcer were in assisted living facilities, or were dependent on a home nursing service.13 A risk classification has been developed to prevent diabetes
related amputations and foot ulcers. It states that patients with diabetes and neuropathy need education or help to perform daily foot inspec- tions, washing the feet daily, use of foot cream and use of appropriate shoes.14 There are several descriptive studies stating that regular inspec- tions, appropriate footwear and off-loading are important in foot ulcer prevention; however, how to realise this in clinical practice has not been presented.15–17 A recent compi- lation of studies on nurses’ work with foot care showed that few studies regarding nurses’ knowledge and skills about foot care have been pub- lished. However, all of the assessed studies stated the importance of identifying the foot at risk.18How this preventive work takes place in home nursing settings has not been described. It seems that prevention of diabetic foot ulcer performed by RNs working in patients’ homes has been a neglected area of research.
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