What is a Safe Service in High-Risk Foot?

A safe service in foot health care involves adhering to high hygiene standards, professionalism, and patient care to prevent infections and complications and ensure optimal outcomes. Here’s what it entails:

1. Sterilization and Cleanliness

• Sterilised Equipment: All instruments are properly sterilised before use to prevent infections.
• Clean Environment: Treatment areas are kept clean and disinfected to maintain a hygienic setting.

2. Professional Standards

• Another key component of a safe service in foot health care is the involvement of qualified practitioners. These services are provided by certified foot health professionals who have undergone rigorous training and adhere to industry standards. This ensures that the patients receive the best possible care.
• Up-to-date Practices: Practitioners stay informed about the latest techniques and best practices in foot care.

3. Patient Safety Protocols: At the heart of our foot health care service is your safety. We follow strict protocols to ensure your well-being, from thorough assessment and diagnosis to personalised care plans and infection control measures.

• Assessment and Diagnosis: Thorough assessment of foot conditions to provide accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments.
• Personalised Care Plans: Treatment plans tailored to the individual needs and conditions of each patient.
• Infection Control: Measures such as wearing gloves, using disposable items where possible, and following strict hand hygiene protocols.

4. Effective Communication

• Clear Instructions: Providing patients with clear instructions before, during, and after treatment.
• Informed Consent: Ensuring patients understand the procedures and consent to them.

A high-risk foot is a foot that is more susceptible to complications and requires specialised care due to underlying conditions. Here’s a breakdown of what makes a foot high-risk:

1. Diabetes

• Neuropathy: Diabetes can cause nerve damage (neuropathy), leading to a loss of sensation in the feet, which can prevent the detection of injuries or infections.
• Poor Circulation: Diabetes can also impair blood flow to the feet, slowing the healing process and increasing the risk of infections and ulcers.

2. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

• Reduced Blood Flow: PAD reduces blood circulation to the extremities, making the feet more prone to sores and infections that heal poorly.

3. Immune System Compromise

• Reduced Healing Capacity: Conditions that compromise the immune system (like HIV or chemotherapy) can make the feet more vulnerable to infections and slow the healing process.

4. Foot Deformities

• Structural Issues: Deformities such as bunions, hammer toes, or Charcot's foot can increase pressure points and risk ulcers or calluses.

5. Previous Foot Ulcers or Amputations

• History of Issues: Patients who have had foot ulcers or amputations in the past are at a higher risk of recurring problems.

6. Advanced Age

• Ageing: Older adults may have a combination of reduced sensation, poor circulation, and other health issues that contribute to a higher risk of foot problems.

Providing a safe service in foot health care involves maintaining a high level of cleanliness, using sterilised equipment, adhering to professional standards, implementing patient safety protocols, and ensuring effective communication with patients. We understand that a high-risk foot requires specialised care and attention due to conditions like diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, immune system compromise, foot deformities, a history of foot ulcers or amputations, and advanced age. Our team is dedicated to managing and treating high-risk feet to prevent serious complications.