Lower extremity amputations in Ireland: a registry-based study

To analyse the current provision of lower extremity amputations (LEA) in Irish public hospitals by patient characteristics and assess the potential savings for reducing numbers if a national multi-disciplinary foot protection clinic (MDFPC) was established nation-wide.

Patient characteristics of LEA conducted during 2016-2019 were analysed based on discharge data from the national hospital inpatient enquiry system. Reported consequences from existing literature were used to extrapolate national consequences.

Public hospitals registered 3104 hospital admissions with LEA during 2016-2019. 68% (n = 2099) of these were minor amputations. About 76% (n = 1592) of minor amputations and 52% (n = 525) of major amputations were performed on patients with a diagnosis of diabetes. If the implementation of a national MDFPC programmed could reduce the number of diabetic amputations by 20%, 80 minor and 26 major amputations could be avoided annually. This would avoid nearly 3000 hospital bed days and correspond to a potential annual saving of €3 M.

LEA has severe impact on patients' lives and hospital resources. Potential savings from effective prevention strategies may offer both health improvements and cost-savings.