Simulation in podiatry teaching and learning: A scoping review.

Background: In podiatry, there are a variety of clinical tasks that require precision and skill and it is expected that clinicians will obtain these skills during their training. Simulation is a dynamic teaching tool used in healthcare to enhance skill and knowledge acquisition. Currently, the extent and nature of the research on the use of simulation in podiatry teaching and learning are not clear.

Use of toe systolic blood pressures and toe brachial pressure indices in people receiving dialysis: A scoping review.

Introduction: Current guidelines for noninvasive lower limb vascular testing specify a preference for toe brachial pressure measurement to aid in the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease populations with high suspicion of peripheral vessel calcification, such as those with kidney failure with replacement therapy.

Objectives: The aim was to identify the current literature on toe systolic blood pressure and toe brachial pressure index for individuals with kidney failure who are receiving replacement therapy.

Design: A scoping review.

Toe-brachial index and toe systolic blood pressure for the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower limbs is caused by atherosclerotic occlusive disease in which narrowing of arteries reduces blood flow to the lower limbs. PAD is common; it is estimated to affect 236 million individuals worldwide. Advanced age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and concomitant cardiovascular disease are common factors associated with increased risk of PAD.

Cleaning time and motion: an observational study on the time required to clean shared medical equipment in hospitals effectively.

Background: Despite the important role that cleaning plays in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections, no research has been undertaken to quantify the time required for effective cleaning and disinfection of different pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospitals. This short report presents the results from a study that aimed to quantify the time required to clean common pieces of shared medical equipment effectively.

Methods: An observational time and motion study was conducted in a nursing simulation laboratory to determine the time required for effective cleaning and disinfection of 12 pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospital.

Investigating the effect of enhanced cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on health-care-associated infections in Australia (CLEEN): a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised, controlled trial.

Background: There is a paucity of high-quality evidence based on clinical endpoints for routine cleaning of shared medical equipment. We assessed the effect of enhanced cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on health-care-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitalised patients.

Methods: We conducted a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised, controlled trial in ten wards of a single hospital located on the central coast of New South Wales, Australia.

Determining confidence and anxiety of Australian community podiatrists in managing foot ulceration: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Diabetes related foot ulcer (DFU) is a leading cause of impaired quality of life, disability, hospitalisation, amputation and mortality in people with diabetes. It is therefore critical that podiatrists across all settings, including community settings, are confident and capable of providing care for diabetes-related foot complications. This study aims to describe current practice, confidence and anxiety levels of community podiatrists in the management of patients with foot ulceration.

Prospective Evaluation of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc Deficiencies in Patients with Active Foot Ulceration.

This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the relationship between serum vitamin C, D, and zinc on foot wound healing and compare time to healing in individuals who are deficient versus those who have adequate levels. One hundred adults with foot wounds were recruited from Blacktown high-risk foot service with a follow-up period of 12 months. Serum vitamin C, D, and zinc as well as routine baseline blood testing was undertaken.

The development of recommendations for the assessment and management of sesamoiditis by podiatrists: A Delphi and content validity study.

Introduction: Sesamoiditis is a common, and often painful, musculoskeletal pathology frequently encountered by podiatrists. However, there are currently no recommendations to guide podiatrists in the assessment and management of people with sesamoiditis. The aim of this study was to develop consensus-driven clinical recommendations on the assessment and management of people with sesamoiditis.

'Nutrition has everything to do with wound healing'-health professionals' perceptions of assessment and management of nutrition in individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration.

Determine how healthcare professionals perceive their role in nutrition assessment and management, and explore barriers and enablers to assessment and management of nutrition in individuals with DFU. Mixed methods including a cross-sectional online survey derived from current international guidelines and theoretical domains framework, and semi-structured interviews with conventional content analysis was performed. One hundred and ninety-one participants completed the survey, with 19 participating in interviews.

Oral care practices and hospital-acquired pneumonia prevention: A national survey of Australian nurses.

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) also known as non-ventilator associated pneumonia, is one of the most common infections acquired in hospitalised patients. Improving oral hygiene appears to reduce the incidence of HAP. This study aimed to describe current practices, barriers and facilitators, knowledge and educational preferences of registered nurses performing oral health care in the Australian hospital setting, with a focus on the prevention of HAP.

How far has diabetes-related foot disease research progressed in Australia? A bibliometric review (1970-2023).

Background: Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD) is a leading cause of the Australian and global disease burdens and requires proportionate volumes of research to address. Bibliometric analyses are rigorous methods for exploring total research publications in a field to help identify volume trends, gaps and emerging areas of need. This bibliometric review aimed to explore the volume, authors, institutions, journals, collaborating countries, research types and funding sources of Australian publications investigating DFD over 50 years.

Experiences and impact of a rural Australian high-risk foot service: A multiple-methods study.

Objective: Most podiatry-led high-risk foot services (HRFS) in Australia are located in metropolitan areas or large regional centres. In rural areas, where there are limited specialist services, individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration are more likely to undergo amputation. This study aimed to explore clinicians' perceptions of a recently implemented HRFS in rural New South Wales, Australia, and compare trends of amputation and hospitalisation prior to and post-implementation of the service.

Most individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration do not meet dietary consensus guidelines for wound healing.

The inaugural expert consensus and guidance for Nutrition Interventions in Adults with Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFU) have been welcomed by clinicians internationally. This short report aimed to determine how the macronutrient and micronutrient status of individuals living with DFU compared to the American Limb Preservation Society Nutrition Interventions in Adults with DFU expert consensus and guidance. Descriptive analysis was conducted as a secondary analysis of an existing dataset.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Pulse Oximetry for Identification of Peripheral Artery Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with poor outcomes including ulceration, gangrene, amputations, and mortality. Clinicians therefore routinely perform point-of-care tests in high-risk populations to identify PAD and subsequently implement cardiovascular management and appropriate interventions. Pulse oximetry has been suggested as a useful adjunct test for identifying PAD.

Variability of toe pressures during haemodialysis: comparison of people with and without diabetes; a pilot study.

Background: Diabetes, end stage renal disease (ESRD), and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are associated with a higher risk of diabetes-related lower limb amputation. Timely identification of PAD with toe systolic blood pressure (TSBP) and toe-brachial pressure index (TBPI) is critical in order to implement foot protection strategies to prevent foot complications in people with ESRD. There is limited evidence describing the effect of haemodialysis on TSBP and TBPI.

Moisturizers, Emollients, or Barrier Preparations for the Prevention of Pressure Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Pressure injuries are prevalent, yet preventable global health care problem estimated to affect 14% of hospital patients and up to 46% of aged care residents. One common prevention strategy is improving skin integrity through emollient therapy to optimize hydration and avoid skin breakdown. Therefore, this study aimed to review the literature and determine effectiveness of inert emollients, moisturizers, and barrier preparations compared with standard care, to prevent pressure injury in aged care or hospital settings.

A randomised controlled trial investigating the effect of improving the cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on healthcare-associated infections: the CLEaning and Enhanced disiNfection (CLEEN) study.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a common, costly, yet largely preventable complication impacting patients in healthcare settings globally. Improving routine cleaning and disinfection of the hospital environment has been shown to reduce the risk of HAI. Contaminated shared medical equipment presents a primary transmission route for infectious pathogens, yet is rarely studied.

Factors influencing diabetes-related foot ulcer healing in Australian adults: A prospective cohort study.

Objective: Diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU) is a common limb-threatening condition, which is complex and subsequently challenging to manage. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of a range of clinical and social factors to the healing of diabetes-related foot ulceration in an Australian population.

Research Design And Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of individuals with diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU).

Perceptions of Diet Quality, Advice, and Dietary Interventions in Individuals with Diabetes-Related Foot Ulceration; A Qualitative Research Study.

Background: Dietary intake is a recognised contributor to healing in diabetes-related foot ulceration (DFU). However, it is currently unknown how individuals with DFU perceive their diet, and what is deemed an acceptable dietary intervention. Therefore, the aims of this study were to explore perceptions of diet quality, previous dietary advice, and dietary interventions in individuals with DFU, and secondly to determine acceptable dietary interventions in individuals with DFU to assist with wound healing.

Commentary: Demystifying Doppler - revisiting a vital diagnostic tool.

Doppler is the most commonly utilised vascular assessment tool by podiatrists in Australia and the United Kingdom. Doppler is a key component of many international guidelines for vascular assessment. Used alongside pressure measurements such as ankle and toe-brachial indices, Doppler assists podiatrists to diagnose, triage and subsequently manage patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Macronutrient and micronutrient intake of individuals with diabetic foot ulceration: A short report.

Background: Adequate nutrition is essential in individuals with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU); therefore, an assessment of dietary intake is critical. A lack of nutrients including protein, zinc and vitamins C and D have all been associated with poor wound healing. However, the comprehensive dietary intake of Australian adults with DFU is poorly understood.

Factors influencing lower extremity amputation outcomes in people with active foot ulceration in regional Australia: A retrospective cohort study.

Australia has the second highest rate of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) globally. Australia's large geographical size is one of the biggest challenges facing limb preservation services and may be contributing to LEA. The aim of this study was to determine what factors contribute to the likelihood of LEA in people with active foot ulceration in regional Australia.