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ANZSVS Conference 2025
Surgery to Strength: The transformative role of the amputee nurse
Verbal Presentation
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Verbal Presentation

9:20 am

03 October 2025

Room L2

OPENING

Disciplines

Nursing

Presentation Description

Institution: Central Adelaide Local Health Network - SA, Australia

The Amputee Clinical Nurse role designed to improve the major limb amputation (MLA) patient journey and to coordinate the care from admission in the acute setting to rehabilitation. Ensure holistic support through coordination with allied health services and streamline the patient journey across care settings. Since 2023 this role has supported 247 individuals experiencing amputation across South Australia. Major limb amputation presents complex medical, functional, and psychosocial challenges that require coordinated, multidisciplinary care. This presentation outlines the development and implementation of a dedicated Amputee Nurse role within the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), designed to bridge gaps across the continuum of amputee care—from acute hospitalisation to rehabilitation. Key components of the role include Prehabilitation education,wound care, holistic patient assessment, discharge planning, and coordination of prosthetic services. With a strong focus on continuity of care, the Amputee Nurse acts as a central point of contact, guiding patients and families through perioperative preparation, postoperative wound management, and psychosocial support. Achievements highlighted include improved interdisciplinary collaboration, earlier involvement of allied health professionals, pressure injury prevention, and enhanced patient and family satisfaction. In addition, the role has contributed to research and quality improvement initiatives, including trial of Prevena VAC therapy on stump wound management, as well as support for data-driven practice updates. This presentation demonstrates how a single, strategically positioned role can transform amputee rehabilitation outcomes by fostering system-wide integration, education, and person-centred care.
Speakers
Authors
Authors

Mrs Annie Mathew -