Abstract 4136822: Implementation of a Community-Engaged Amputation Prevention Intervention in Rural Appalachia

Amputation is a devastating complication of diabetes and peripheral artery disease and a marker for health inequity. Implementation Science (IS) and Community Engaged-Research (CenR) allow for real-world adaptation of evidence-based interventions and provide critical frameworks for reproducibility and sustainability. However, few amputation interventions use these approaches. We describe the feasibility and acceptability of an IS and CEnR driven amputation intervention in a high-risk rural community. A Pre-Post mixed methods design was used (Fig 1). Intervention components were mapped to the Social-Ecological Model (Fig 2) and guided by the CFIR. Community and Project Advisory Boards collaborated on needs assessment, mobilizing resources, intervention adaptation, data review and dissemination. A 3-component intervention was implemented in 2 clinics to improve local foot care. Components included diabetic foot exams (DFEs), a multidisciplinary limb preservation team, and a “hot-foot” hotline. Pre-implementation, a retrospective chart review was performed along with focus groups. DFE training was then conducted at each site. After training, a prospective chart review was performed with clinic check-ins for 12 months. Focus groups were held 6- and 12-months post-implementation. Concurrently, monthly multidisciplinary teleconferences were held, and a “hot-foot” phoneline connected providers to specialty nurses. At baseline, 155/224 (69.2%) patients received an annual DFE, 17% had all four exam components, 15.6% had foot abnormalities identified and 3.6% were referred to specialists. At 12-months 212/268 (79.1%) patients received a DFE, 84.7% had all components, 54.9% had abnormalities and 20.1% were referred. All findings were statistically significant. Clinically there was a significant decrease in patients with foot wounds, infection, and foot-related hospitalization/ED visits. There were no changes in amputations. (Table 1) The virtual teleconference completed 12 sessions. The hotline was used once with clinicians reporting they did not need it. We demonstrate successful, sustained implementation of an amputation prevention intervention in a high-risk rural community using IS and CEnR. This approach was crucial for overcoming barriers to intervention implementation in a resource poor environment. Additional research to assess patient experience, understand key components of the intervention and study scalability and clinical effectiveness is planned.