Nurse practitioners and barriers to diabetic foot treatment

Even with full practice authority, nurse practitioners (NPs) face limitations in care and treatment options. An example of this is current federal law prohibiting NPs from ordering diabetic shoes.

This study reviewed the background of this problem, potential impacts on patient health and NP practice, and viable solutions for consideration.

This was a descriptive study of NPs in a northwestern state with full practice authority. An anonymous online survey was used. There were 54 total NP respondents.

The potential negative patient outcomes associated with restricted NP ability to prescribe diabetic footwear were supported through the literature review and the survey, including increased foot complications and acuity, translating to increased costs. Of the NPs queried, 80% felt inability to prescribe diabetic footwear was limiting to their practice, and 92% felt this affected patient outcomes. Federal legislative changes with support of bipartisan bills allowing NPs to prescribe diabetic footwear could facilitate timeliness and access to care while reducing costs.

Legislation affecting NP scope of practice is an important issue with implications related to patient outcomes. Nurse practitioners should continue to support legislation at the federal level to pass bills allowing for NPs to certify orders for diabetic shoes.