Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which significantly burden individuals world-wide. According to the WHO, there are about 200 million people living with Diabetes mellitus and its prevalence is rapidly rising in low and middle-income countries. Of this population, 15-25% have diabetic foot disease. This encompasses wound complications of the feet secondary to diabetes. In the Philippines, there were over 3.7 million diabetic adults in 2017 and approximately 4 of 1000 patients underwent lower extremity amputations due to diabetic foot disease. Due to this substantial number of patients, a tertiary hospital in the Philippines developed a pathway in which patients with diabetic foot disease would be managed by a specialist team from the emergency room (ER) to the operating room (OR) and further to decrease the complications from the disease. Here, a rapid response team with essential skills collaborate for patients with or clinically suspected diabetes mellitus with an active ulcer on the extremity with the aim of improved limb salvage and decreased morbidity and mortality. This starts with a patient seen at the ER being triaged to the department of Internal Medicine. After thorough examination, the Internal Medicine resident will inform the nurses and facilitate referrals to the Endocrinology and Infectious Disease services. The patient will also be referred to the Orthopedics department for them to do a comprehensive assessment and provide a surgical plan. The Orthopedic resident should then facilitate referral to anesthesia for the planned surgical intervention, as well as referral to psychiatry service for pre-operative counselling as necessary for patients undergoing extensive surgery. Patient will be closely monitored by the team all throughout the admission. Proper patient education and regular follow-ups will also be ensured before discharge to provide the patient with continuous care.  

Anna Colleen Del Rosario Rossi completed her Residency Training Program in Orthopedics at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. She graduated as Cum Laude under Bachelor of Science in Biology program at Saint Louis University, Baguio City. She also finished her Doctor of Medicine degree in the same institution. Currently, she is an Orthopedic Surgeon in the Philippines and will pursue a subspecialty in Sports Medicine, while continuously advocating quality care to patients with diabetic foot disease.