Renal Ventures Launches New Foot Care Initiative for Patients

June 15, 2010

This summer, Renal Ventures has launched a campaign to raise awareness and celebrate good foot health. As part of our RV Difference program, we are committed to educating and information patients on the importance of good foot care.

From  Dr. Tom Parker, Chief Medical Officer, Renal Ventures:

Why is foot care important?

Individuals who suffer from kidney disease, vascular disease or diabetes are particularly susceptible to foot health complications due to a variety of reasons. Foot problems may be as common as athlete’s foot, or more complicated such as bunions and calluses. Since patients with these conditions may have nerve problems which make it difficult to feel cuts or sores on their feet, it’s more important to pay special attention to the feet. If these problems are not identified and properly treated, they could lead to infections and ulcers. Unattended, a severe infection could eventually lead to amputation.

Why Feet Get Overlooked

I remember how embarrassed some of my patients were when we asked them to remove their shoes and socks so that we could examine their feet during dialysis rounds.  Then they got the hang of it, saw the benefit, and were eager to participate.  We are concerned because our feet have unique odors and perhaps we haven’t cleaned them appropriately that morning.  But therein lies the problem.  The odors are caused by excessive bacterial and fungal growth, unclean socks and shoes, and improper care.  While we are not specialists in foot care, we want to help patients understand the relationship between their health and good foot care.

What Patients Can Expect From Renal Ventures

This summer Renal Ventures Foot Care Initiative will get our employees and patients focused on healthy feet. There will be fun-filled events in the clinics and educational materials available for patients. Our commitment to patients is taking the unique step to assure that they don’t have preventable complications from foot diseases.