Diabetic Foot in Primary and Tertiary (DEFINITE) Care: A Health Services Innovation in Coordination of Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) Care within a Healthcare Cluster
Care Continuum
Care Process & Redesign
National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals
National Healthcare Group
31 December 2022
Improve coordination of care for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients across primary and tertiary care settings, aiming to. The program successfully demonstrated improved patient outcomes and cost savings, and it is now being scaled across NHG polyclinics.
Year Submitted: 2022
Published Date: 31 December 2022
Tags: Care Process ＆ Redesign, Care Continuum, Quality Improvement, Workflow Redesign, Value Based Care, Productivity, Primary Care, Preventive Care
About this Content
Aims
Improve coordination of care for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients across primary and tertiary care settings, aiming to reduce the incidence of lower extremity amputations (LEA).
Background
DFUs were a significant cause of hospital admissions and amputations, placing a heavy clinical and economic burden on the healthcare system.
Methods
Established a coordinated multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach across primary and tertiary institutions for DFU management. Integrated a patient-owned digital wound imaging app to monitor progress.
Results
Reduced minor LEA rates from 36.4% to 8.7% and major LEA rates from 6.5% to 5.1%, with improved patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs.
Conclusion
The program successfully demonstrated improved patient outcomes and cost savings, and it is now being scaled across NHG polyclinics and hospitals.
Lessons Learnt
The importance of staff engagement, health literacy, and collaboration across disciplines was critical for achieving success.
Keywords
Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Multi-Disciplinary Team, Primary Care, Tertiary Care, Wound Management, Patient Education
Innovators' Details
Innovators' Details
Healthcare Cluster(s) | National Healthcare Group |
Organization(s) Involved | National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, Woodlands Health, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital |
Platform(s) | National Healthcare Innovation and Productivity Medals |
Healthcare Professional Group(s) | Healthcare Administration, Medical |
Applicable Specialty or Discipline | Endocrinology, Surgery, Clinical Research, Podiatry |
Project Lead(s) | Elaine Tan |
Project Member(s) | Lo Zhiwen Joseph |
Connect with this contributor!
Dr Elaine Tan - elaine_tan_yl@nhgp.com.sg
Project Attachment
C_433_NHGP_NHIP_2022_Diabetic_Foot_in_Primary_and_Tertiary_DEFINTE_Care.pdf