March is National Nutrition Month, a time when healthcare providers across the country focus on helping patients optimize nutrition for better health. Because diabetes is at the root of many non-healing wounds, nutrition and diet play a vital role in the healing process for many of our patients.
According to the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC), 230 patients with diabetes suffer an amputation every day in the U.S. 85 percent of these cases start with a diabetic foot ulcer. Wound centers can roll out specialized dressings and advanced healing techniques, but if the patient does not maintain a healthy diet, these efforts will be hindered.
Patient compliance can often become a serious hurdle, slowing or even stopping their own ability to heal. To help centers and patients everywhere, we’re offering a free handout for clinicians to give to patients as a reminder of the importance of nutrition, including six tips on how to make eating healthy more manageable.
If you feel that your patient’s nutritional challenges are complicated and additional support is needed, a Registered Dietitian (RD) can work with your patient and create a customized eating plan. Medical nutrition therapy with an RD is covered by most insurance plans as well as Medicare Part B. For more information on nutrition and healing or anything wound related, give us a call at (888) 484-3922.
