referral criteria from primary care - diabetic (diabetes) foot

Last reviewed 01/2018

Diabetic foot problems

Referral

If a person has a limb-threatening or life-threatening diabetic foot problem, refer them immediately to acute services and inform the multidisciplinary foot care service (according to local protocols and pathways), so they can be assessed and an individualised treatment plan put in place. Examples of limb-threatening and life-threatening diabetic foot problems include the following:

• ulceration with fever or any signs of sepsis
  
  
• ulceration with limb ischaemia
  
  
• clinical concern that there is a deep-seated soft tissue or bone infection (with or without ulceration)
  
  
• gangrene (with or without ulceration).

Notes:

• for all other active diabetic foot problems, refer the person within 1 working day to the multidisciplinary foot care service or foot protection service (according to local protocols and pathways) for triage within 1 further working day.

Reference:

• NICE (August 2015). Diabetic foot problems: prevention and management