QUALITY OF CARE STUDY ON THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH DIABETIC FOOT ULCERS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL FROM 2013 TO 2017

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Diabetic foot ulcers are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. This study aims to assess the management of diabetic foot ulcers in the last five years and compare it with the standard guideline of care.

METHODOLOGY
This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 267 charts of patients with diabetic foot ulcers were reviewed from 2013 to 2017.

RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 57.31 years, while their mean HbA1c was 10.39%. The average duration of diabetes among the patients was 7.54 years. 41.95% of all patients received surgical intervention. The average number of days of hospital stay is 18.96 days. 14.61% of the total admission had adverse clinical outcomes during their hospital stay. The most common of which were hospital acquired pneumonia and acute coronary syndrome. The mortality rate in this study is 13.11%. The most common causes of death were acute coronary syndrome, septic shock secondary to infected wound and septic shock secondary to hospital acquired pneumonia.

CONCLUSION
The results of this study revealed the gravity of foot ulcers among patients with diabetes. Improvement in the management of diabetic foot ulcers should be continued.