Quality Statement 1: Risk Assessment

People with diabetes are assessed for their risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer when they are diagnosed with diabetes and at least once a year thereafter. People at higher risk are assessed more frequently. All risk assessments are performed using standard, validated tools.

Quality Statement 2: Patient Education and Self-Management

People with diabetes and their families or care partners are offered education about diabetic foot care and complications, including basic foot care, how to prevent foot complications and monitor for the signs and symptoms of foot complications, and who to contact in the event of a concerning change.

Quality Statement 3: Referral to an Interprofessional Team

People with a diabetic foot ulcer are referred to an interprofessional team that delivers ongoing, coordinated, integrated care. If people with a diabetic foot ulcer have major complications, they are seen within 24 hours by a team that delivers emergency services and then referred to an interprofessional team for ongoing care.

Quality Statement 4: Comprehensive Assessment

People with a diabetic foot ulcer or foot complications undergo a comprehensive assessment that informs their individualized care plan and includes evaluation of vascular status, the presence of infection, and pressure redistribution to determine the healing potential of the wound.

Quality Statement 5: Individualized Care Plan

People with a diabetic foot ulcer or foot complications have a mutually agreed-upon individualized care plan that identifies their concerns and is reviewed and updated regularly with their clinician.

Quality Statement 6: Pressure Redistribution

People with a diabetic foot ulcer or foot complications are offered pressure-redistribution devices as part of their individualized care plan.

Quality Statement 7: Wound Debridement

People with a diabetic foot ulcer have their wound debrided if it is determined as necessary in their assessment, and if it is not contraindicated. Debridement is carried out by a trained clinician using an appropriate method. 

Quality Statement 8: Local Infection Management

People with a diabetic foot ulcer and a local infection receive appropriate treatment, including antimicrobial and non-antimicrobial interventions.

Quality Statement 9: Deep Tissue Infection, Surrounding Tissue Infection, and Systemic Infection Management

People with a diabetic foot ulcer and a suspected deep tissue infection, surrounding tissue infection, or systemic infection receive urgent assessment (within 24 hours of initiation of care) and systemic antimicrobial treatment.

Quality Statement 10: Wound Moisture Management

People with a diabetic foot ulcer receive wound care that maintains the appropriate moisture balance or moisture reduction in the wound bed.

Quality Statement 11: Clinician Training and Education

People who have developed or are at risk of developing a diabetic foot ulcer or foot complications receive care from clinicians with training and education in the assessment and management of diabetic foot ulcers and foot complications.

Quality Statement 12: Transitions in Care

People with a diabetic foot ulcer or foot complications who transition between care settings have a health care team or clinician who is accountable for coordination and communication to ensure the effective transfer of information related to their care.