Clinical indicators for the intervention in the rehabilitation of inpatients.

Abstract

The role of podiatry in the rehabilitation of inpatients can be a valuable contribution towards overall effective management. Ballarat Health Services Podiatry Department has reviewed its provision of service in this sub-acute setting, by developing a hierarchy of indicators for the implementation of treatment. In developing clinical indicators for intervention it is evident that underlying conditions, like diabetes, cerebrovascular accidents, rheumatoid arthritis and peripheral vascular disease, place patients more at risk of lower limb complications than patients without these conditions. In this clinical audit conducted over a month, 41 new patients admitted were screened on the rehabilitation ward, to assess their need for podiatric intervention. Time spent with each patient, their underlying conditions and the intervention implemented were recorded. The results showed that patients with diabetes, from a podiatric viewpoint accounted for the highest amount of time, especially if they had an amputation. Underlying conditions are the major players in determining who is in greater need of podiatric care, which in turn helps to target service provision, thereby facilitating the delivery of more holistic positive outcomes.