Foot & Nail Care (Advanced Nursing Foot Care)
About this service
Preventive and therapeutic foot care delivered by specially trained nurses to protect skin integrity, reduce pain, and lower the risk of ulcers and infection—especially for people with diabetes, neuropathy, or circulation issues. Our nurses practise to advanced nursing foot-care competencies (assessment, risk stratification, instrumentation, education, and referral) and follow Alberta requirements for restricted/advanced activities within scope. We use Routine Practices (hand hygiene, point-of-care risk assessment, cleaning/disinfection) at every visit, and we coordinate promptly with your family physician or podiatry when problems need medical or surgical management. Canadian and international guidance emphasizes annual (or more frequent) risk-based foot screening and early care to prevent ulcers and amputations.
Who it's for
- Adults with diabetes, neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, foot deformities, thick/fungal nails, corns/calluses, or difficulty self-caring. Diabetes guidelines recommend routine foot exams and risk-based follow-up to prevent ulceration.
- Clients on anticoagulants, with vision or mobility limits, or who have had previous ulcer/amputation—all higher-risk groups needing regular skilled care.
- Anyone seeking safe, clinical-grade trimming/instrumentation (not a cosmetic pedicure) with escalation pathways to primary care or podiatry when indicated. Alberta podiatry resources note you can self-refer for podiatric assessment when needed
What´s included in the service?
Clinical foot assessment & risk screen
History, footwear check, skin/nail exam, pulses (as appropriate), neuropathy screen (e.g., monofilament), ulcer risk level and follow-up plan based on Diabetes Canada / IWGDF principles.
Safe nail care (non-invasive)
Trim/shape thickened nails; thin/reduce dystrophic nails where within nursing scope; cleanse and moisturize; education on straight-across trimming to prevent ingrowns. (Advanced activities are performed only by nurses with the required authorization/training per CLPNA standards.)
Corns/calluses (conservative care)
Non-invasive reduction of hyperkeratosis and pressure redistribution; off-loading pads/toe spacers and footwear advice; urgent escalation if pre-ulcerative signs are present, per prevention guidelines.
Fungal/skin conditions – coaching & referral
Recognition, basic hygiene advice, and referral to primary care for diagnostics/prescriptions when warranted.
Diabetic foot self-care teaching
Daily checks, skin care, moisture control, sock/shoe choices, and when to call—aligned with Diabetes Canada patient resources.
Documentation & care plan
Charting to national foot-care nursing competencies and Alberta privacy standards; risk-level determines recall frequency.
Referral & coordination
Direct clients/families to podiatry for ingrown nails requiring partial avulsion/matrix procedures or persistent pain/infection; Alberta sources note physician referral is often not required to book podiatry, and surgical referrals can be directed to podiatric surgeons when appropriate.
- Infection prevention: Every visit starts with a Point-of-Care Risk Assessment and Routine Practices—hand hygiene, appropriate PPE, and cleaning/disinfection of any equipment and high-touch surfaces we use—per AHS IPC.
- Supplies & equipment: Client-specific items (emollients, antifungals, pads/spacers) are billed separately. Where medically indicated, some equipment/supplies are accessed through AADL; purchases must be through approved vendors after assessment/authorization.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have clinical foot care?
Your interval depends on risk level. Diabetes/International Working Group guidance supports regular, risk-based follow-up (e.g., at least yearly for low risk; more often for neuropathy, deformity, previous ulcer). We’ll assign a recall cadence after your assessment.
Do you treat ingrown toenails?
We manage mild cases conservatively (education, straight-across trimming, spacing/off-loading, infection watch). Moderate–severe or recurrent ingrowns, signs of infection, or significant pain are referred to podiatry for procedures such as partial avulsion or matrixectomy; Alberta consumer guidance and MyHealth Alberta outline these indications.
What training do your nurses have?
Advanced foot-care nurses complete specialized theory and hands-on training (e.g., ~110+ hours theory plus supervised clinical days) and practise to the CAFCN competency framework; Alberta LPNs performing advanced/restricted activities require appropriate authorization under CLPNA standards.
Is this covered under CDHCI or AADL?
CDHCI funds authorized hours for personal care/health-linked tasks after AHS assessment; foot-care appointments are typically scheduled as nursing visits within your plan or as private add-ons. AADL may help with certain equipment/supplies but does not retroactively reimburse items bought without prior authorization and must be purchased from approved vendors.
What if I have numbness or tingling in my feet?
That may reflect peripheral neuropathy (common in diabetes). We’ll screen your risk and liaise with your clinician; lifestyle and medical strategies can mitigate progression, and protective foot-care routines are essential.
Do I need a physician referral to see a podiatrist?
Not necessarily. The provincial podiatry college indicates you can self-refer; for surgical interventions, we’ll help assemble a clear referral package to a podiatric surgeon if needed.
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