Structure, processes, and initial outcomes of The Ottawa Hospital Multi‐Specialist Limb‐Preservation Clinic and Programme: A unique‐in‐Canada quality improvement initiative

In 2017, The Ottawa Hospital initiated a unique‐in‐Canada quality improvement initiative by opening a novel, multi‐specialist limb‐preservation clinic. We sought to describe the structure, processes, and initial outcomes of the clinic and evaluate whether it is achieving its mandate of providing high‐quality wound clinical care, education, and research. We conducted a descriptive prospective cohort study alongside a nested study of 162 clinic patients requiring serial assessments. There have been 1623 visits, mostly (72.2%) from outpatients. During 17.8% of visits, patients were evaluated by >1 specialist. Therapies provided most often included negative‐pressure wound therapy (32.7%), biological wound dressings (21.6%), and total contact casting (18.5%). Furthermore, 1.2% underwent toe/ray amputations or skin grafting in clinic and 22.8% were initiated on antimicrobials. Mixed‐effects models suggested that mean wound volumes for those requiring serial assessments decreased by 1.6 (95% confidence interval = −0.86 to −2.27) cm(3) between visits. The clinic provided seven rotations to vascular surgery, infectious diseases, dermatology, and palliative care physicians; three nursing preceptorships; and two educational workshops. It also initiated provincial and national vascular health and wound care research initiatives. This study may be used to guide development of other limb‐preservation clinics and programmes. Findings support that our programme is achieving its mandate.