Can a diabetic foot ulcer be treated at home?

Often, yes. When a physician orders it, a wound care nurse can clean and dress the wound, keep an eye on how it is healing and let your doctor know about any change. Some wounds also need care from a podiatrist, wound clinic or vascular specialist, and we coordinate with them.

How often will a nurse come?

That comes from your physician’s orders — commonly two or three visits a week to begin with, then fewer as the wound improves. Your nurse keeps your doctor informed and the schedule is updated whenever your orders change.

What are the warning signs of infection?

Spreading redness, swelling, warmth, new or worse pain, pus or a bad smell, or a fever. Call us, and if the signs are severe or you feel very unwell, get medical care right away or call 911.

Can I still walk on it?

Follow your physician’s instructions about walking and weight-bearing. Off-loading — keeping pressure off the wound — is often a key part of healing a foot ulcer. Your nurse will check that your footwear and any off-loading device are being used as ordered.

Service

Diabetic foot ulcers: home wound care

Diabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can form on the feet of people with diabetes. A wound care nurse comes to your home to check the wound, change the dressings and watch for infection, working alongside the doctor who manages your diabetes.

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What it is

Diabetes can reduce feeling and blood flow in the feet, so a blister, a callus or a small cut can turn into a slow-healing open sore. You may not feel it at first, which is why foot wounds are often larger than they look by the time they are noticed.

Consistent, skilled wound care at home — done the same way, on a regular schedule — is one of the most important parts of helping a diabetic foot wound heal and keeping it from coming back.

Who this is for

Adults with diabetes who have an open sore, blister or callus on a foot or lower leg
Anyone recently discharged from hospital or a wound clinic who still needs dressing changes
People whose physician has ordered daily or several-times-a-week wound care
Family caregivers who need help with dressings and want to know what to watch for

What a visit looks like

We start with your ordersYour nurse reviews your physician’s wound care orders and your current medications before anything else.
We look at the woundWe measure it and note the depth, drainage and any signs of infection, so we can tell if it is improving.
We clean and dress itThe wound is cleaned and dressed using the products your physician ordered — the same supplies at every visit.
We check the rest of your feetWe look at the skin around the wound and your other foot, and check your shoes and how you are walking.
We teach and report backWe show you or your caregiver what to watch for, and send progress notes to your treating provider.

Physician order required

Home wound care services in Florida must be ordered by a physician or other licensed provider who is treating you. We ask for your wound care orders before the first visit and send notes back to that provider as your wound changes. If you do not have a provider, call us and we will explain what you need.

Coverage notes

Florida Medicaid and the private insurance plans we accept may cover home wound care when it is medically necessary and ordered by your provider. Coverage and any cost to you depend on your plan and your medical need. We check your benefits before the first visit and tell you what we find.

How coverage and eligibility work

Not sure whether this service is right for you? Call us at 850-940-4325 and we will talk it through — no medical details needed to start.

Questions about diabetic ulcers

Does diabetic ulcers care at home need a doctor's order?

Yes. In Florida, home wound care requires an order from a physician or another licensed provider who is treating you. We ask for that order before the first visit.

Clinically reviewed by [ADD REVIEWER NAME + CREDENTIALS, e.g. J. Smith, RN, BSN] on [ADD REVIEW DATE]

Where we provide this care

This service is available across our three-county service area in Northwest Florida.

Other wound care services

Many patients need more than one type of wound care. These are the other wounds we treat at home.

Ready to start? Call us or send a referral.

We answer questions about coverage and physician orders before you commit to anything.

Call 850-940-4325 Refer a Patient

Phone: 850-940-4325
Fax referrals: 833-636-4600
Office hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Leave a message after hours and we will call you back.