(411) Implementing a Foot and Nail Service in Acute Care

This presentation will explore the development and implementation of a dedicated foot and nail care service within a large academic medical center. Our Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nursing team is frequently consulted for lower extremity wounds, including neuropathic foot ulcers. During these assessments, we identified a recurring issue: many patients presented with long, thickened toenails, yet no formal toenail trimming service existed within the institution. Although the facility employs two podiatrists and a podiatry nurse practitioner, routine toenail care was not part of their practice. Recognizing this gap, two Certified Foot Care Nurses (CFCNs) initiated a program to address this critical need, improving patient outcomes and enhancing continuity of care.