Foot care training

guest*** · Jun 6, 2004

Moore Medical supplies has extensive podiatry supplies, call or write and get a catalog. They are at mooremedical.com I think! They are incredibly fast with deliveries and this is where I get almost all my medical supplies as well as nippers.

guest*** · Jun 6, 2004

I am gathering information about the best electric nail filing systems and bits, as I feel, aside from good nippers, this is the most useful tool there is in foot care. Dremmels should be thrown in the garbage. I was an expert witness on a case involving a dremmel use and the resulting 4 amputation surgeries that followed.

Chicago Podiatric supplies are good

Sally's Beauty Supply

Go to some of the podiatrist sites like Podiatry Online and sign up for their forums. They have used equipment sometimes.

Ebay has used autoclaves and dopplers

BUT before you go out and buy this stuff, you should be very committed to this feild as it can get pretty expensive. Many nurses I have met over the past 10 years think this is a great "get rich quick" feild. They do not consider the time involved becoming skilled. It takes doing literally hundreds of nails before you can truly feel confident with whatever nails you come across. Good tools are essential.

Good luck!

ehresources · Jun 6, 2004

I agree. I have tried several electric nail filing systems and bits and have yet to find one that is completely satisfactory. The Podasray has potential but I find it quite messy. It is the best I've seen so far but...I still find that nippers and the Diamond Deb and Black's files are the safest. Unfortunately, every tool has it's problems...The tools just aren't made with ergonomics and safety in mind. I am surprised that we have not come further in research and development than we have. Cynically, I am starting to believe that it is going to be a long battle to see the necessary guidelines and other developments that are required in this field. That is why I am very interested in seeing some standardization in courses and a certification exam. There is not enough consistency nation-wide, not to mention internationally. There are enough threads and glimmers of change to keep me hopeful and motivated to work for change. That is part of the reason why this forum has become important to me...it gives me the encouragement I need to struggle on. Thank you for that.

J

I am gathering information about the best electric nail filing systems and bits, as I feel, aside from good nippers, this is the most useful tool there is in foot care. Dremmels should be thrown in the garbage. I was an expert witness on a case involving a dremmel use and the resulting 4 amputation surgeries that followed.
Chicago Podiatric supplies are good
Sally's Beauty Supply
Go to some of the podiatrist sites like Podiatry Online and sign up for their forums. They have used equipment sometimes.
Ebay has used autoclaves and dopplers
BUT before you go out and buy this stuff, you should be very committed to this feild as it can get pretty expensive. Many nurses I have met over the past 10 years think this is a great "get rich quick" feild. They do not consider the time involved becoming skilled. It takes doing literally hundreds of nails before you can truly feel confident with whatever nails you come across. Good tools are essential.
Good luck!

ehresources · Jun 6, 2004

I find the best supply place to get tools is from a medical supply outfits. They monitor the quality of the tools at the reputable places. Estheticians have different rules than we do so sometimes, what they recommend will not stand up to our sterilization methods. Miltex and Timesco seem to be the best nippers (my opinion) and they stand behind their product.

Actually, I love coloured uniforms. Surprisingly, my uniforms have all stood up to the bleach pretty well - again, it all seems to be quality...and I don't buy expensive uniforms either.

We have lots of good resources here in Canada. I also find great resources out of England, New Zealand and Australia. I am always happy to share info if I can.

Good luck

J

Thanks for the update!
J: Thank you for the thorough information on supplies. Is the beauty supply store the best option?
You must wear white uniforms (nonpolyester) to bleach them before the wash. Cool.
Karen: Great links! Thank you for posting them!
night

Summers · Jun 11, 2004

Tutti, There are 3 of us who want to start up a foot care clinic (a wound specialist, cert. diabetes educator RN, & CNA). We are looking for classes to go to. If you can give me info on the Seattle class it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Robin

Hi everyone,
I took a course in foot care in Canada as well, because the US is far behind in this area. They have a 2 day course in Seattle Washington every year for foot care for nurses, put on by the Podiatry association. I have been to it 3 times now. They are slowly getting there. They have recommendations and they recommend this course and a follow up with observing a Podiatrist for so many hours. However, I know that Canada has actual laws and regulations for nurses to do foot care and that is why they have so many teaching certification programs available. I do foot care and I agree that no one should do it without the proper training. I am an LPN. Hope this is helpful!
Tutti

Summers · Jun 11, 2004

Hello, I am a RN and cert. diabetes educator and planning on partnering with a wound specialist and CNA to do foot care in our area. We are in the process of writing policies and procedures as well as searching for more information on classes, esp in Oregon (close to home). Can you help me? Thank you, Robin

guest*** · Jun 11, 2004

Stainless stell nippers of various sizes ( I will use up to 3 different nippers on one person's feet) Buy German and buy the best. I prefer straight, not curved.

Rasps are totally different and used for the corners to prevent spicules. I do not find diamond debs effective at all. There are much better coorifice diamond files out there by a company called Erica, they cost about $25 each, but worth it. Tools are everything. (or almost!)

Electric nail filing system with various bits that can be sterilized.

Currettes, scalpel (if you are an RN) with #15 blade or a minibeaver blade with a #64 for IPK's.

That's all I can think of for now.

Tutti · Jun 12, 2004

Tutti, There are 3 of us who want to start up a foot care clinic (a wound specialist, cert. diabetes educator RN, & CNA). We are looking for classes to go to. If you can give me info on the Seattle class it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Robin

Summers,

The link to the seattle class is http://www.wspma.org . You can find all of the information on the seminar there. It will be held November 5-6 this year. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Tutti

Tutti · Jun 12, 2004

I am gathering information about the best electric nail filing systems and bits, as I feel, aside from good nippers, this is the most useful tool there is in foot care. Dremmels should be thrown in the garbage. I was an expert witness on a case involving a dremmel use and the resulting 4 amputation surgeries that followed.
Chicago Podiatric supplies are good
Sally's Beauty Supply
Go to some of the podiatrist sites like Podiatry Online and sign up for their forums. They have used equipment sometimes.
Ebay has used autoclaves and dopplers
BUT before you go out and buy this stuff, you should be very committed to this feild as it can get pretty expensive. Many nurses I have met over the past 10 years think this is a great "get rich quick" feild. They do not consider the time involved becoming skilled. It takes doing literally hundreds of nails before you can truly feel confident with whatever nails you come across. Good tools are essential.
Good luck!

I know there is some controversy regarding the dremel. I use a dremel because I didn't find the electric nail file I had been using strong enough. I know lots of Nurses and Podiatrists who use the dremel. What happened that this person had to have an amputation? I would like to think that I am using my dremel safely and properly. I use a podiatry burr, not the burrs that came with the dremel itself. What about these electric nail file systems you are talking about? Are they strong enough for these tough, thick toenails? And what is the difference between those and a dremel? Thank you for all the information you share!

Tutti

Tutti · Jun 12, 2004

That's great Nightengale! I like that you were able to put all that info. on here. I've been to this seminar 3 times. I just like to keep up on the scope and laws, etc. And there's always stuff to learn. What I like is that there are so many other Nurses to connect with there. One in particular, she is an ARNP and has been doing foot care for years, and she speaks, and shows us the instruments she uses, etc. Last year she handed out her cards with her e-mail and phone #. She is so down to earth. And very knowledgeable. I like this course and will most likely attend it again this year.

Tutti

Summers · Jun 16, 2004

Summers,
The link to the seattle class is www.wspma.org . You can find all of the information on the seminar there. It will be held November 5-6 this year. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Tutti

Thank you, Summers

4mostuser · Jun 19, 2004

Hi...does anyone know of a foot care nurse association or organization in the US? I know there are several in Canada, but the foot care nurses in the US seem to work in isolation. Any one interested in starting an organization?

Eileen