News Release

Rosalind Franklin University and VA collaborate on amputation risk prevention profile

Classification system clearly assesses risk for diabetic patients, and promises to prevent countless amputations.

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

The North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center and researchers at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science are collaborating on a novel high-tech method to prevent amputations in high-risk patients. The profile, which is being tested in a local pilot study, takes a widely utilized risk scoring system developed in part by Rosalind Franklin University Clinician-Researcher David G. Armstrong, DPM, PhD, and adopted by the International Diabetes Federation, and incorporates it into the treatment plan of every person with diabetes being cared for in the system.

"It is our goal that a system like this can facilitate a logical treatment process, and even better prevention schemes," noted James S. Wrobel, DPM, MS, Director of Outcomes Research at Rosalind Franklin University's Scholl Center for Lower Extremity Ambulatory Research (CLEAR), and this study's Co-Principal Investigator.

"The VA has always been at the forefront in diabetes care and amputation prevention," said Dr. Armstrong, CLEAR's Director and study Principal Investigator. "What this project enables us to do is to further push the envelope to improve care for all veterans and, ultimately, for everyone with diabetes at risk for amputation."

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