Next Steps

Follow-up

• Read any instructions from the doctor while the patient are still in the emergency department or doctor's office. Ask questions about any instructions you don't understand. Follow all of your doctor's or nurse's instructions. Let a doctor know if the patient's condition is not improving within a reasonable time.

• Be sure to finish the entire course of antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor. Not finishing the entire course can lead to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

• Less pain, swelling, redness, warmth, or drainage are generally all signs of improvement in an infected wound. Shrinkage of the wound or ulcer is a good sign. Absence of fever is also generally a good sign. Generally, some improvement should occur within the first two to three days. Let a doctor know if the patient is not improving as expected.

• Be especially vigilant about the patient's diabetes care while they are healing a foot or leg infection. Good glycemic control is good not only for healing an ulcer the patient already has, but also for preventing future ulcers. Check blood sugar regularly and let a doctor know the pattern of low and high levels.