Implications of Underlying Pathophysiology of Osteomyelitis in Diabetics for Nursing Care

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone caused by either bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses or mycobacteria (McCance, et. al., 2014). The infection can enter bone either through an outside source or through the blood from a blood borne infection (McCance, et. al., 2014). The most common bacteria involved with osteomyelitis is Staphylococcus aureus (Hatzenbuehler & Pulling, 2011, p. 1027). Recently, at Dublin Methodist Hospital there has been an increase in the number of osteomyelitis cases in chronic uncontrolled diabetic patients requiring below the knee amputations. Two of the cases specifically were linked to chronic diabetic foot ulcers. Each of these cases were only planned to be partial foot amputations but resulted in below the knee amputations causing much stress for the patients and families. Diabetics are highly susceptible to diabetic foot ulcers and subsequent infections for two reasons. The first reason is that they have peripheral neuropathy and thus may not be able to feel a trauma to their foot or limb; and, secondly, because they have peripheral vascular disease limiting blood flow and thus healing to a wound site (Hatzenbuehler & Pulling, 2011, p. 1028). The pathophysiology of osteomyelitis is linked to bone degeneration and often the infection itself can be prevented with adequate and proactive nursing care. New ways to diagnosis and treat osteomyelitis are being explored through new research as will be examined in this research poster. Implications for better patient care and prevention will be obtained through gathering of the researc