Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Purpose & Scope

  • This guideline has been developed to address the question of how to assess and manage people with established diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer(s).
  • It provides evidence-based recommendations to all nurses and the interprofessional team who provide care in all health-care settings to people (>15 years of age) with type 1 and/or type 2 diabetes and who have established diabetic foot ulcers.
  • Caring for people with diabetic foot ulcers is an interprofessional endeavour. Effective care depends on a coordinated interprofessional approach incorporating ongoing communication between health-care professionals and people with diabetic foot ulcers.
  • It is further acknowledged that individual competencies of nurses may vary among nurses and across categories of nursing professionals. These competencies are based on knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment enhanced over time by experience and education. It is expected that individual nurses will perform only those aspects of care for which they have receive appropriate education and experience.
Chronic Disease
Assessment and Management of Foot Ulcers for People with Diabetes - Second Edition
Background Information