A recent study by Stephanie Behme, Zeeshan S. Husain, and Olga J. Santiago Rivera, published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, has shed light on the significant impact of podiatric surgery consultation on patient outcomes in a community hospital setting[^1^].

The Study

The study, a cross-sectional descriptive analysis, was conducted at a community suburban hospital affiliated with the Michigan State University College of Medicine. It involved a retrospective chart review of adult patients admitted with lower extremity wounds between July 2018 and December 2020[^1^].

Key Findings

The study found that patients who received a podiatric surgery consultation had a three-fold decrease in 30-day readmission rates compared to those who did not receive such consultation (4.2% vs 11.3%, p = .03)[^1^].

Furthermore, patients with gangrene or osteomyelitis were found to have a higher likelihood of readmission than patients with venous ulcers, even after controlling for podiatric consultation[^1^].

Interestingly, the study also found that earlier podiatric consultations resulted in decreased length of stay among the group of patients who received such consultations[^1^].

Socioeconomic Factors and Patient Outcomes

The study also aimed to investigate the medical and socioeconomic factors associated with better outcomes. Socioeconomic factors have been shown to significantly affect health outcomes[^4^][^5^][^6^][^7^]. For instance, higher incomes are usually associated with better nutritional status, housing conditions, and access to medical services[^5^].

However, the study by Behme, Husain, and Santiago Rivera did not delve into the specifics of how socioeconomic factors influenced the outcomes of the patients in their study. This could be an area for future research.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of timely podiatric surgery consultation in improving patient outcomes, particularly in reducing 30-day readmission rates and length of stay for patients with lower extremity wounds. It also highlights the need for further research into the role of socioeconomic factors in patient outcomes.

[^1^]: Behme, S., Husain, Z.S., & Santiago Rivera, O.J. (2023). Impact of Podiatric Surgery Consultation for Foot and Ankle Wounds on Patient Outcomes in a Community Hospital. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
[^4^]: CDC. (2023). Socioeconomic Factors.
[^5^]: NCBI. (2019). Effects of Socioeconomic Status on Physical and Psychological Health: Lifestyle as a Mediator.
[^6^]: NCBI. (2013). The Social Determinants of Health: It’s Time to Consider the Causes of the Causes.
[^7^]: Duke Health. (2020). Socioeconomic Factors Play Significant Role in Health Outcomes.

Citations:
[1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0741521417320803
[2] https://www.clinicalkey.com
[3] https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/podiatry/podiatric-consultation-impact-health-care-utilization
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/health_equity/socioeconomic.htm
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352250/
[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863696/
[7] https://physicians.dukehealth.org/articles/socioeconomic-factors-play-significant-role-health-outcomes
[8] https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jfas.2023.07.004