Arche Healthcare Highlights November 14 as LEAP Day for Diabetes Awareness and Prevention

Promoting Diabetes Awareness: LEAP Day on November 14

In an effort to combat the alarming increase in diabetes-related amputations, Arche Healthcare has reaffirmed November 14 as LEAP Day, which stands for Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention. This initiative highlights the growing public health crisis associated with diabetes and encourages clinicians to act decisively.

As part of this campaign, care teams are urged to perform a simple, yet essential three-minute diabetic foot assessment on adults with diabetes. This assessment serves to identify individuals at an increased risk for complications, thereby promoting timely referrals to podiatric specialists when necessary. Detailed guidance on conducting these assessments can be found at LEAP2030.org.

Des Bell, DPM, CWS, President Emeritus and Founder of The Save a Leg, Save a Life Foundation, stresses the importance of early intervention, stating, "Amputations tied to diabetes have risen in recent years. This is a solvable problem if we act upstream." By incorporating a standardized foot assessment into routine care, healthcare providers can significantly improve outcomes for their patients.

The Importance of Foot Assessments

The foot assessment recommended on LEAP Day is designed to pinpoint various risk factors associated with diabetes complications, such as:

- neuropathy (nerve damage)
- peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation)
- prior ulcer history
- foot deformities

These factors are all closely linked to the risk of developing ulcers and requiring amputations. By promoting these assessments, Arche Healthcare aims to establish a new measure within HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) to ensure systematic evaluations and interventions for patients nationwide, similar to eye examinations that have effectively reduced blindness caused by diabetes.

Guidelines for LEAP Day and Beyond

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to adopt the following steps not only on LEAP Day but throughout the year:
1. Standardize the three-minute diabetic foot assessment at every annual and chronic-care visit for adult diabetes patients.
2. Identify high-risk individuals exhibiting symptoms such as a past history of ulcers, neuropathy, PAD, or foot deformities.
3. Refer at-risk patients promptly to Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) for further evaluation and treatment.

To facilitate this effort, ample resources, including how-to materials, are accessible at LEAP2030.org.

Arche Healthcare’s Commitment

Arche Healthcare is dedicated to empowering patients, physicians, and payers to work toward preventing diabetes-related wounds and subsequent amputations. Their comprehensive diabetic foot exam (CDFE) and an array of diagnostic tools aim to engage patients actively and enhance medical outcomes. By mobilizing healthcare teams around LEAP Day, Arche Healthcare aims to foster a nationwide culture of prevention that prioritizes patient health and well-being.

For additional information, media inquiries can be directed to Tanya L Travers at Arche Healthcare via +1 (707) 653-6716 or through email at [email protected].

In conclusion, as we observe LEAP Day on November 14, it serves as a vital reminder for the healthcare community to prioritize diabetes awareness, safeguarding many individuals from unnecessary complications through early detection and intervention.