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- Title
Reducing cellulitis and improving skin integrity through lymphoedema and dermatology collaboration.
- Authors
Morgan, Karen; McGuckin, Julie
- Abstract
This article demonstrates the benefits of joint working between lymphoedema and dermatology services. Many chronic lower-limb conditions require a multi-specialist approach. Collaborative working provides patients with lower-leg oedema and skin conditions with a seamless efficient pathway of care, ensuring patients receive prompt effective management of cellulitis, varicose eczema, fungal infections, chronic oedema and lymphorrhoea. This collaboration decreases unplanned hospital admissions and reduces the cost to the NHS and the patient. Over a 2- to 3-year period, 50 patients with multiple comorbidities were jointly assessed. A total of 34% had repeated episodes of cellulitis as a result of collaborative working, while only 4% had cellulitis requiring hospital admission. 42% no longer required community nurse intervention for management of their lower-limb oedema. Patient satisfaction was very high with reduced appointments and travel cost. This demonstrates significant cost savings to the NHS.
- Subjects
CELLULITIS; COMMUNITY health nursing; COST effectiveness; DERMATOLOGY; INTERPROFESSIONAL relations; LYMPHEDEMA; CASE studies; PATIENT satisfaction; PROFESSIONS; HEALTH self-care; SKIN care; COMORBIDITY; PREVENTION
- Publication
British Journal of Community Nursing, 2013, Vol 18, Issue 10, pS13
- ISSN
1462-4753
- Publication type
Article