Gary M Rothenberg1, Jeffrey Page1, Rodney Stuck1, Charles Spencer1, Lonnie Kaplan1, Ian Gordon1. 1. is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor. He previously served as the Attending Podiatrist and Residency Director at the Miami VA Medical Center in Florida. is a Professor at the School of Podiatric Medicine at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona. At the time the article was written he was the Interim Chief and Residency Director of the Phoenix VA Medical Center. is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation at Loyola University Medical Center and Hines VA Medical Center in Illinois. is a Rehabilitation/Wound Care Physical Therapist at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center in Utah. is a Staff Podiatrist at the Coatesville VA Medical Center in Pennsylvania. is a Vascular Surgeon at the Long Beach VA Medical Center in California.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are devastating, common, and costly. The mortality of veterans following a DFU is sobering with ulceration recognized as a significant marker of disease severity. Given the dramatic impact of diabetic foot complications to the veteran and the US health care system, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has long recognized the importance of preventive care for those at risk. Telemedicine has been suggested as a modality to reach veterans at high risk of chronic wound formation. OBSERVATIONS: The purpose of this review is to: (1) present the evidence supporting once-daily remote temperature monitoring (RTM), a telemedicine approach critical to improving both veteran access to care and diabetic foot outcomes; (2) summarize a 2017 study published by VA providers who have advanced clinical understanding of RTM; (3) present previously unpublished data from this study comparing high-risk VA and non-VA cohorts, highlighting the opportunity for additional focus on DFU prevention within the VA; and (4) report on recent VA use of a RTM technology based on this research, emphasizing lessons learned and best practices. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant opportunity to shift diabetic foot care from treatment to prevention, improving veteran outcomes and reducing resource utilization. RTM is an evidence-based, recommended, but underused telemedicine solution that can catalyze this needed paradigm shift.
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are devastating, common, and costly. The mortality of veterans following a DFU is sobering with ulceration recognized as a significant marker of disease severity. Given the dramatic impact of diabetic foot complications to the veteran and the US health care system, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has long recognized the importance of preventive care for those at risk. Telemedicine has been suggested as a modality to reach veterans at high risk of chronic wound formation. OBSERVATIONS: The purpose of this review is to: (1) present the evidence supporting once-daily remote temperature monitoring (RTM), a telemedicine approach critical to improving both veteran access to care and diabetic foot outcomes; (2) summarize a 2017 study published by VA providers who have advanced clinical understanding of RTM; (3) present previously unpublished data from this study comparing high-risk VA and non-VA cohorts, highlighting the opportunity for additional focus on DFU prevention within the VA; and (4) report on recent VA use of a RTM technology based on this research, emphasizing lessons learned and best practices. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant opportunity to shift diabetic foot care from treatment to prevention, improving veteran outcomes and reducing resource utilization. RTM is an evidence-based, recommended, but underused telemedicine solution that can catalyze this needed paradigm shift.
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Authors: Adam L Isaac; Timothy D Swartz; Mark L Miller; Daniel J Short; Eleanor A Wilson; Jamie L Chaffo; Eric S Watson; Haihong Hu; Brian J Petersen; Jonathan D Bloom; Nicole J Neff; David R Linders; Simon J Salgado; Jessica L Locke; Michael A Horberg Journal: BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care Date: 2020-10
Authors: Brian J Petersen; Sicco A Bus; Gary M Rothenberg; David R Linders; Lawrence A Lavery; David G Armstrong Journal: BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care Date: 2020-09