Audit on Antibiotics Regimen in Diabetic Foot Ulcers - Are We Following Guidelines?

Ooi Chin Sheng^1* & Chee Yu Han²

¹Year 6^th Medical Student of MBBS of Tzu Chi University, Taiwan
²Senior Consulltant, FRCS Tr & Orth (Edinburgh), Division of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore

Dr. Ooi Chin Sheng, Year 6^th Medical Student of MBBS of Tzu Chi University, Taiwan.

Keywords: Diabetic Foot; Antibiotics; DM; Bacteria Culture

Abstract

Lower limb infections are the most common indication for hospital admission in patients with diabetes. Diabetic foot ulcers are common and can lead to chronic osteomyelitis if not treated well. In the most severe forms of infection, patients are known to develop necrotizing fasciitis and subsequent shock from cardiovascular collapse may ensue. Antibiotics are very important in the management of these infected ulcers in addition to adequate surgical debridement of the ulcers. The diabetic foot is highly susceptible to repeated ulceration, hence are more prone to more serious infection than other ulcers, and left untreated infection can lead to serious consequences such as amputation. This cycle can be broken only by aggressive treatment [1].

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