Case Study Analysis: Managing Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Hospital

This case study focuses on Mrs. Spring, a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer exacerbated by her diabetes. The assignment emphasizes the critical need for meticulous foot care and diabetes management to prevent complications. It highlights how diabetes impairs wound healing by affecting blood glucose levels, damaging blood vessels, and reducing the effectiveness of red and white blood cells. The case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary team, including specialists in infectious diseases, endocrinology, and nurse educators, to improve patient outcomes. Effective blood glucose management is crucial for wound healing and infection reduction. The study references several research papers to support the discussed strategies and emphasizes the significance of regular clinical foot exams and proactive risk management to reduce reulceration and infection.

Patient Spring diagnosis of left foot ulcer has been exuberated by her diabetes
condition. Implementation and adherence of incontinence foot care for the patient are
essential for diabetic care. The objective of diabetic management is to ensure prevention of
related problems while the patient is hospitalized. Evaluation of the Mrs. Springs diabetic
wound is key in enhancing improved outcomes. There is a need for critical care as it
enhances prevention of iatrogenic foot complication which often arises in such cases. The
clinical foot exam for the patient is needed on a regular basis so as identification of risks
such as those associated with loss of sensation are managed to reduce the chances of re-
ulceration and infection which might occur to the patient, thus optimal control of diabetes is
essential for the patient (Amin & Doupis, 2016).
Diabetes development for Mrs. Spring affects the healing process of her wound.
Diabetes state affects the overall functioning of the body in handling the blood glucose levels
and maintaining optimum levels. Increased blood glucose levels in the body entail damage to
the blood systems. Elevated blood glucose tends to stiffen the arteries, narrowing the overall
blood vessels. Affecting the overall functioning of the nerves in the body, hampering the
healing process of the wound as blood circulation is affected (Rice et al., 2014).
Blood circulation to the wound site is paramount for the healing process of the wound.
Due to this narrowing action of the blood vessels, the healing process of the wound is
affected, impairing the overall process leading to a limited supply of oxygen reaching the
wound thus making the wound not to heal quickly. Further, increased levels of blood sugars
reduce the functioning of the red blood cell thus hampering the ability to carry the nutrients to
the wound site limiting its overall effectiveness of healing and fighting infections (Naves,
2016).
The decreased flow of white blood cells in the wound site tend to be less effective on

immune response and the wound lags behind in the inflammation stage leading to increased
infections. The further occurrence of desensitization of the wound tends to lead to lower
recognition leading to the worsening state of the wound (Chen, Giurini & Karchmer, 2016).
A multidisciplinary team is essential for managing Mrs. Spring foot ulcer. Medical
specialists involved in infectious disease and hospital medicines are vital in patient
assessment and management. Endocrinologist specialist is essential towards improving the
level of care for the patient. The key role of endocrinology as a profession entails the aspect
of care in the management of hormones which are focused on endocrine organs, dealing with
the primary function of hormone secretion. Endocrinologist role will be essential in treating
and managing associated diseases of the patient as occasioned by the diabetes state. They will
engage the patient on diagnostic evaluation on various symptoms and variations for long term
care management. Further nurse educators are vital in improving the knowledge base for the
patient so as to facilitate positive patient outcomes. Thus it is essential for the management
of Mrs. Spring blood glucose management which facilitates the overall healing process of the
wound. And reduces the overall wound infection (Umpierrez et al., 2012).

References
Amin, N., & Doupis, J. (2016). Diabetic foot disease: from the evaluation of the “foot at risk”
to the novel diabetic ulcer treatment modalities. World journal of diabetes, 7(7), 153.
Chen, S. Y., Giurini, J. M., & Karchmer, A. W. (2016). Invasive Systemic Infection
Following Hospital Treatment for Diabetic Foot Ulcer: Risk of Occurrence and Effect
on Survival. Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciw736.
Naves, C. C. (2016). The diabetic foot: a historical overview and gaps in current treatment.
Advances in wound care, 5(5), 191-197.
Rice, J. B., Desai, U., Cummings, A. K. G., Birnbaum, H. G., Skornicki, M., & Parsons, N.
B. (2014). The burden of diabetic foot ulcers for Medicare and private insurers.
Diabetes Care, 37(3), 651-658.
Umpierrez, G. E., Hellman, R., Korytkowski, M. T., Kosiborod, M., Maynard, G. A.,
Montori, V. M., ... & Van den Berghe, G. (2012). Management of hyperglycemia in
hospitalized patients in non-critical care setting: an endocrine society clinical practice
guideline. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 97(1), 16-38.