Local Resident, DeSales Foster, Presenting at 5th Symposium on Advanced Wound Care

PHILADELPHIA, PA (07/31/2013)(readMedia)-- DeSales Foster, MSN, CWOCN, CRNP, GNP-BC, a Doctor of Nursing Practice student at the Jefferson School of Nursing, will be presenting a poster, "The Lived Experience of the Patient after Diabetic Foot Amputation" at the 5th Symposium on Advanced Wound Care. Foster is being recognized with the highest award in the Information/Education Report category during the symposium to be held September 27-29, in Las Vegas, NV.

"There are over 26 million Americans with diabetes and the numbers continue to rise," says Foster. "Eight percent of the 26 million will have a diabetic foot ulcer and two percent of that group will have an amputation, some with subsequent amputations. All healthcare professionals need to better serve those who are experiencing this devastating problem, while reducing the burden on both the patient and healthcare system."

From a phenomenology study, using semi-structured interviews of 15 patients after amputation, Foster developed five themes, including financial burden, social support, powerlessness, blame and uncertainty.

"The information gleaned from this study should help us to better serve the patient throughout the transition of care from pre-amputation to the highest functional level as he or she returns to society," says Foster.

Foster first became interested in diabetic foot ulcers and amputations more than ten years ago, while working in home care as a certified wound ostomy and continence nurse (CWOCN). After returning to school to get a master's degree as an adult nurse practitioner at LaSalle University, she took her education a step further through JSN's DNP program in 2009. Foster also received a Geriatric Recognition Award from the American Geriatric Society in February 2010 and completed certification at a Gerontology NP in February 2011.

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About Thomas Jefferson University

Jefferson School of Nursing is part of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), the largest free standing academic medical center in Philadelphia and nationally renowned for medical and health sciences education and innovative research. Founded in 1824, TJU also includes Jefferson Medical College (JMC), the Jefferson Schools of Pharmacy, Health Professions and Population Health and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Jefferson University Physicians is TJU's multi-specialty physician practice consisting of the full-time faculty of JMC. Thomas Jefferson University partners with its clinical affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.