Patient assessment of the nurse role in diabetic foot treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Information for nursing staff, 2025, 57(3), 49-54.

V. Gyurova-Kancheva¹, D. Taneva¹, A. Kirkova-Bogdanova², H. Bozov³

¹ Department of Nursing Care
² Department of Medical Informatics, Biostatistics and E-learning, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv
³ University “Prof. Dr Asen Zlatarov” – Burgas

Abstract. Introduction: Hyperbaric oxygenation is an established adjuvant therapy in treatment of hard- to-heal wounds, particularly diabetic ulcers, and hence, requires participation of a multidisciplinary team. The nurse is part of it and has an educational, clinical and managerial role during hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Aim: To determine patient assessment of nurse function during hyperbaric chamber sessions. Material and Methods: A pilot study of 15 patients (10 males and 5 females) in an experimental group and 15 patients undergoing conventional therapy alone was conducted. Only the sample receiving nursing care during hyperbaric oxygen therapy between October 2024 and January 2025 was interviewed by means of a researcher-made questionnaire. Results and Discussion: Nurse assessment of function during diabetic foot care was not influenced by the factor variables: gender, age, place of residence, and education. The evaluation of the nurse role in hyperbaric chamber treatment was defined as “extremely important” by most respondents (80%). The interventions performed by nurses during sessions were also considered. Conclusion: The nurse role is crucial in the performance of proper and incidentless hyperbaric chamber sessions. The nurse as part of a multidisciplinary team assumes the role of observer and evaluator of the evolutionary state of diabetic ulcers. Larger studies are needed to prove the importance of the functions of health care professionals in this type of specific therapy.

Key words: hyperbaric oxygenation, diabetic foot, nursing care

Address for correspondence: Vasilka Gyurova-Kancheva – ORCID: 0009-0005-2141-088X e-mail: Vasilka.Kancheva@mu-plovdiv.bg