Foot Care Best Practices: Preventing and Managing Wounds in At-Risk Populations

Foot health is an essential component of overall well-being, particularly for at-risk populations such as the elderly, individuals with diabetes, and those with circulatory issues. These groups are more prone to developing chronic foot conditions and wounds that can lead to severe complications if not properly managed. At Benchmarque Group, we are committed to providing healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge to help prevent and manage foot-related issues through our foot health course, lower limb health course, and wound management course. These training pathways offer practical, evidence-based education that empowers clinicians to make a positive impact on patient outcomes.

In this blog post, we’ll explore foot care best practices for at-risk populations, focusing on preventing and managing wounds. We’ll also discuss how our courses—Chronic Conditions of the Foot, Lower Limb Health, and the Wound Management Pathway—provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to excel in their roles.

Understanding At-Risk Populations

Certain groups are more likely to experience foot health issues that can lead to wounds. These include:

• Individuals with diabetes: Diabetes can impair blood circulation and nerve function, increasing the risk of ulcers, infections, and delayed wound healing.
• The elderly: As people age, skin becomes thinner and more prone to injury, while circulation may decline, making it harder for wounds to heal.
• People with circulatory problems: Conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) reduce blood flow to the extremities, increasing the likelihood of foot wounds and complicating the healing process.
• Those with immobility issues: Reduced mobility can lead to pressure ulcers, particularly in the lower limbs and feet, which can become difficult to treat.

Addressing the foot care needs of these populations requires specialised knowledge and a preventative approach. That’s where targeted education and training come in.

Prevention is Key

Preventing wounds before they develop is always preferable to managing wounds after they’ve occurred. Healthcare professionals should be trained to recognise early signs of foot problems and take proactive steps to avoid complications. Our foot health course emphasises the importance of routine foot inspections, proper footwear selection, and patient education on self-care.

Regular Foot Inspections

Routine foot inspections allow healthcare professionals to detect potential problems before they escalate. Patients with diabetes or circulatory issues, in particular, should have their feet checked frequently for signs of:

• Dry or cracked skin
• Redness or swelling
• Calluses or corns
• Open sores or ulcers

By identifying these issues early, clinicians can intervene to prevent wound development. Our Lower Limb Health course equips healthcare professionals with the practical skills to perform these inspections effectively, ensuring they know what to look for and how to respond.

Appropriate Footwear

Another key aspect of preventing foot wounds is ensuring patients wear proper footwear. Shoes that are too tight or that don’t provide adequate support can increase the risk of injury. Footwear should be well-fitted, cushioned, and breathable to minimise friction and pressure. For individuals with diabetes, extra care must be taken to avoid shoes that could cause blisters or sores.

Healthcare professionals trained in our foot health course will learn how to assess footwear and recommend appropriate options based on a patient’s specific needs. This can drastically reduce the likelihood of wounds developing in the first place.

Patient Education

In addition to performing foot inspections and recommending appropriate footwear, clinicians play a vital role in educating patients about self-care practices. Patients should be encouraged to:

• Inspect their feet daily
• Keep their feet clean and moisturised
• Avoid walking barefoot
• Check for signs of infection

Our Chronic Conditions of the Foot course emphasises the importance of patient education as a preventative measure. When patients understand how to care for their feet, they are better equipped to prevent wounds from occurring.

Managing Wounds

Despite the best preventative efforts, wounds can still develop, particularly in at-risk populations. When this happens, timely and effective management is crucial to prevent further complications such as infection, hospitalisation, or, in extreme cases, amputation.

Our Wound Management Pathway provides comprehensive training on the assessment, treatment, and ongoing care of wounds. This pathway equips healthcare professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to effectively manage wounds and promote healing.

Wound Assessment

The first step in wound management is a thorough assessment. Healthcare professionals must evaluate the wound's size, depth, and severity, as well as identify any signs of infection. Wound care should be personalised to the patient's overall health, underlying conditions, and the wound's location.

Our wound management course offers a structured approach to assessing wounds, ensuring that clinicians can make informed decisions about treatment plans.

Treatment Options

Once a wound has been assessed, treatment options can vary based on the type and severity of the wound. For example:

• Pressure ulcers: Relieving pressure and improving circulation are key to healing pressure-related wounds.
• Diabetic ulcers: These often require offloading pressure and close monitoring for signs of infection.
• Venous ulcers: Compression therapy is commonly used to improve circulation and support healing.

In our Wound Management Pathway, participants learn about a range of evidence-based treatments, from dressings and topical therapies to advanced options like negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). This training ensures that healthcare professionals have a broad toolkit to address various wound types and promote healing.

Monitoring and Follow-up

Wound care doesn’t end with the initial treatment. Ongoing monitoring and follow-up are crucial to ensure the wound is healing properly and to make adjustments to the treatment plan as needed. Healthcare professionals must be vigilant for signs of infection, delayed healing, or other complications that may require further intervention.

Our Lower Limb Health course emphasises the importance of monitoring and reassessing wounds, particularly in patients with chronic conditions. Regular follow-up visits allow healthcare professionals to track progress and make informed decisions about ongoing care.

Why Choose Benchmarque Group for Foot Care and Wound Management Training?

At Benchmarque Group, we offer a range of training options designed to meet the needs of healthcare professionals working with at-risk populations. Our foot health course, lower limb health course, and wound management course provide comprehensive, practical education that helps clinicians improve patient outcomes.

Each course is fully funded, making it accessible to healthcare workers across Australia. With a focus on real-world application, our training pathways ensure that participants leave with the confidence and skills to make a tangible difference in their practice.

By investing in specialised foot care and wound management education, healthcare professionals can prevent complications, enhance patient well-being, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.

For more information on our courses and how they can benefit your practice, visit Benchmarque Group today.