REGIONAL FOOT CARE PROGRAM

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FOOT CARE PROGRAM

The Foot Care Program was developed to ensure access to Basic Foot Care Service in all Manitoba First Nation communities with an overall goal of reducing diabetes related foot complications and the rate of lower limb amputations. Basic Foot Care services will be provided by a nurse (LPN/RN) with basic foot care certification. The Foot Care Program is jointly led by the FNHSSM/Diabetes Integration Project (DIP) and the Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Leadership Council (MFNDLC).

The First Nation Basic Foot Care Program: A Solution To Reduce Diabetic Foot Complications And Amputation Rates Proposal (2016)

The Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Leadership Council advocated for twenty years (20) for a Basic Foot Care Program in Manitoba First Nations. The proposal entitled, "First Nation Basic Foot Care Program: A Solution to Reduce Diabetes Foot Complications and Amputations Rate” was updated and revised based on the feedback received from the Manitoba First Nations Diabetes Leadership Council, the Health Technicians Network and the First Nations Health Directors. The final proposal was submitted October 2016 to FNIHB to be included in the Branch Operational Plan. The proposal was approved in June 2017 in the amount of $19 Million/4 years.

The Regional Foot Care Program funding is provided by the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Manitoba Region to Tribal Council or directly to First Nations communities.

BASIC FOOT CARE STATNDARDS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL

The Basic Foot Care Standards, Policies and Procedures Manual was developed as a resource to the front line basic foot care nurses to support the delivery of basic foot care service delivery in First Nation communities in Manitoba. The information included in the manual reflects current clinical guidelines and evidence based practice. The manual was developed for the purposes of the provision of support of the nurses currently providing foot care services. The standards, policies and procedures in the manual are aligned with the most current evidence based practice guidelines and reflect the realities of delivering foot care to First Nations people living in Manitoba.

FOOT CARE TRAINING

ASSINIBOINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - BASIC FOOT CARE TRAINING COURSE

The Basic Foot Care Training course for the foot care nurses was provided by the Assiniboine Community College in either Brandon or Thompson region. The Basic Foot Care Training course consists of the following:

The courses taken were as follows:

Course #1 HLTH-0218 Nursing Foot Care Introduction 24 hours
Course #2 HLTH-0219 Foot Assessment & Intervention 32 hours
Course #3 HLTH-0228 High Risk Feet – Theory 20 hours
Course #4 HLTH-0229 High Risk Feet – Clinical 16 hours
Course #5 HLTH-0230 Diabetic Feet – Theory 20 hours
Course #6 HLTH-0231 Diabetic Feet – Clinical 16 hours
Course #7 HLTH-0232 Foot Care – Small Business 20 hours

F/Y 2017/2018 Basic Foot Care Training Graduates

Left to Right top row: The Instructor, Janice Dalton. Students: Hanna Matiowski (Birdtail Sioux First Nation), Teresa Jensen (Black River First Nation), Melanie Stangeland (Opaskwayak Cree Nation), Karol Suzie Bouchie (Little Grand Rapids First Nation), Arla Tait (KTC Strategy), Lucille Manoakeesik (Garden Hill First Nation), Gwen Kaye (Birdtail Sioux First Nation). Front: Tina Kozak (Rolling River First Nation), Danette Blacksmith (Nisichawayasihk First Nation), Donna Spence (Fisher River Cree Nation)

REGIONAL TRAINING & CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

Additional training has been provided in the following areas:

Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI)

The ABPI is a non-invasive procedure which is used to identify arterial perfusion/tissue perfusion in the lower limbs using a hand-held Doppler to compare the ankle systolic pressure reading and the brachial systolic pressure reading.

Instructor: Tanya Girouard-Stringer,Enterostomal Therapy Nurse, FNHIB, Manitoba region

ABPI TRAINING

REGIONAL TRAINING & CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

The Regional Chronic Disease capacity building workshop provides an opportunity for the First Nations paraprofessional health care workers to increase their knowledge and skills development in foot care, diabetes and other chronic diseases.