First Advisor

Dunemn, Kathleen

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Document Type

Capstone

Date Created

12-2017

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Nursing, Nursing Student Work

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the fastest growing diseases in the United States and worldwide. “The number of Americans with diagnosed diabetes is projected to increase 165%, from 11 million in 2000 (prevalence of 4.0%) to 29 million in 2050 (prevalence of 7.2%)” (Boyle et al., 2001). Diabetes mellitus is known to cause numerous complications--one of the most devastating and life altering being lower extremity amputation. Approximately 185,000 non-traumatic amputations occur in the United States each year (Amputee Coalition, 2017). The burden of diabetic complications including amputations is estimated to cost the United States upwards of $245 billion per year (Amputee Coalition, 2017). The purpose of this doctoral capstone was to identify a gap in care for detecting diabetic peripheral neuropathy and to provide a guideline to screen for diabetic peripheral neuropathy when prompted by an alert in the electronic medical record (EMR) of patients with diabetes during routine clinical visits. The guideline will help ensure best possible health outcomes to avoid amputations for patients with diabetes. Easily installed by informatics, the EMR alert will ensure implementation of the guideline by reminding the health care tech, Registered Nurse, or provider to check the patient’s feet during both episodic and preventative appointments.

Keywords

Diabetes mellitus, Amputation, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Local Identifiers

NawrockiCapstone2017

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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