Moving from vision to reality: A success story in enhancing foot complication risk assessments, education and documentation.

People with diabetes must be vigilant with foot care in order to prevent ulcers, infection, and amputation. To this end, the Diabetes Education & Management Centre (DEMC) at Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston, Ontario implemented the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Guideline (BPG) Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes (2004). Through the use of this evidence-based guideline, the interprofessional team increased their knowledge of foot complications and foot assessment best practices and implemented evidencebased foot assessment, education, and documentation practices. Using paper-based chart audits, a better understanding of the DEMC patient populations, and factors contributing to the sustainment of practice changes in an ambulatory care setting were identified and reinforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]