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The Tâmega e Sousa Hospital Center (CHTS) is already the one with the lowest rate of diabetic foot amputation nationwide. Nevertheless, in order to provide a better service to the users, the first Diabetic Foot Clinic was opened at the Padre Américo Hospital of Penafiel, Friday, in a hospital setting integrated with the National Health Service.
The diabetic foot affects more than one million Portuguese and it is estimated that 65 thousand people over 500 thousand that this hospital provides help also suffer from this disease. The most recent data indicate only five amputations per year, while it is expected that they will reach 75.
Each year, the Multidisciplinary Consultation on the diabetic foot of CHTS performs, on average, more than 3,500 consultations, with 800 first consultations
In this new space entirely dedicated to diabetics and diabetic patients, there will be medical consultations, nursing, podiatry and a treatment room. A plantar support laboratory was also created, named after Dr. Jose António Freire Soares, doctor and president of the Padre Américo Hospital Friends' League.
"It is possible to keep diabetics on their two feet all their lives", believes Maria de Jesus Dantas
The diabetic foot is the main cause of occupation of hospital beds by diabetics ,
consuming significant resources in health. On average, it causes 2,000 hospitalizations a year in Portugal.
Although the numbers are down, over the last 10 years, an average of 1600 amputations per year due to diabetes have been achieved.
Data was submitted by Maria de Jesus Dantas, a surgeon who won the 2016 Bial Medicina Clínica Award and was responsible for the multidisciplinary consultation of the diabetic foot of CHTS
At the ceremony marking the 20th Anniversary of the diabetic foot consultation at the hospital and the opening of the clinic, the doctor recalled the daily fight against amputation and pointed out that the flag with the lowest rate of infection. amputation since 2011 responsibility. "It's possible to keep diabetics walking on both feet throughout life," he said.
Speaking of figures for the region, Maria de Jesus Dantas said that in a hospital that covers more than 500,000 people, 65,000 diabetics. "Of our 65,000 diabetics, 5850 can have foot infections and 75 amputations a year, 38 of which are major," he said. But CHTS has amputation rates below the national average and north of the country (0.95 / 100,000 inhabitants). "In 2005, five patients underwent major amputation and none of the amputees came from the consultation," he said.
CHTS President Carlos Alberto also praised the work done in a multidisciplinary way. . "We are the best hospital in the country in this area, I never tire of saying that we have treated more than 520 thousand people, 5% of the Portuguese population.There are few hospitals in this country with this burden of care, "he said. "With little money, we did a decent clinic."
This "innovative service that allows us to have the lowest rate of amputations in the country is a pride for the region"
During the ceremony, Rui Carvalho, chairman of the Portuguese Diabetic Foot Studies Group, congratulated the team for the national projection that they gave to this cause and culminated with the Bial price. "I am responsible for the country's oldest consultation, and I do not understand why the country's largest hospital, Santa Maria Hospital, in Lisbon, does not have a multidisciplinary foot consultation. diabetic as in the north to reduce the rate of amputations. "
Conceição Bacelar, representing the regional health administration of the North, stressed the importance of the example of this service, but called for an even earlier intervention. "I would also like to see the inauguration of diabetic foot treatment clinics at a level, which will reduce the number of consultations," he said, referring to primary health care. "They have 800 first visits a year, which equals 800 people with very serious diabetes problems.It is important that these places be dignified and comfort level three, but prevention must begin before."
Have in this hospital an "innovative service that makes it possible to have the lowest rate of amputations in the country" "
Patients are satisfied
For patients, l & # 39; 39, inauguration of the clinic can only be good news, "said the vice president of the Penafiel City Council, Susana Oliveira. Marcos Costa, 58, had diabetes problems for five years and two years took insulin. "There were some bruises on my foot and I came here in December, I had to have surgery and I go here for consultations and bandages," says the resident of Felgueiras. a "good +". "This new service is important."
Still from Felgueiras, António Pinto, 51, is followed in multidisciplinary consultation since the age of 38. "Callus appeared on my feet and I started having sores. I've had surgery three times on each foot, "he says. "I took a coffee and I spent 16 to 17 hours standing up, I had to reform, but Dr. Jesus worked miracles," says the porter. "The treatment here is already good, but I think that with the clinic it will be better, "he anticipates.
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