PubMed · 10176346
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J M Mathias. 1998. Build variance tracking into pathway program.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10176346/
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When dealing with feet of diabetic patients, disciplined and structured action on the part of the primary care physician--general practitioner or specialist--will ward off disabling and costly consequences. The physician replaces the patient's missing neuropathic sensibility; he demonstrates leadership during visits by checking the patient's feet, their pulse, look, feel of their skin, temperature, neurologic deficits and state of care. Shoes need to be checked thoroughly. Findings include dermatologic, angiologic, neurologic, orthopedic and hygienic problems. These require rapid and expert therapy and prophylaxis even when considered of lesser importance in non-diabetic patients. Practical schemes and sound reasoning along with a treatment team (podologist, orthopedist, diabetic consultant) are the steps to success: keeping the feet free of disease, even with a progressing degree of diabetes.
BACKGROUND: Studies of length of stay (LOS) in hospital usually focus on physician-independent factors. In this study, the authors identified physician-dependent factors and tested an intervention aimed at them to determine its effect on LOS. METHODS: A prospective comparison of LOS on 2 general medical wards in a tertiary care teaching hospital before and after the intervention. The pre-intervention (control) period and the intervention period were each 4 weeks. The intervention consisted of a checklist for planning management and discharge. RESULTS: Overall, the mean LOS was shorter during the intervention period than during the control period, but the difference was not statistically significant (12.0 and 14.4 days respectively, p = 0.13). The difference was significant on ward A (11.0 v. 14.7 days respectively, p = 0.02) but not on ward B (13.0 and 14.0 days respectively, p = 0.90). INTERPRETATION: An intervention at the level of the admitting physician may help to shorten LOS on a general medical ward.
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