Table 3 Comparison of Belgian, German, and Australian accreditation systems [17, 27]

Members

Diabetologist, surgeon on call, podiatrist, diabetes nurse, footwear technician

Diabetologist, at least four of the following: orthopaedic surgeon, vascular surgeon, diabetologist, chiropodist, orthotist, shoemaker, microbiologist

The minimum core staffing is: diabetologist, senior podiatrist, and a credentialled diabetes educator. Patients should have access to vascular surgery and orthopaedic surgery services.

Emergency service

Permanent (24/7) availability of a diabetologist on call

24/7 availability of service

N/A

Outpatient clinic

At least 4 h of consultation per week

N/A

At least one session per week

Dedicated ward round

N/A

N/A

N/A

Evidenced-Based Clinical Management

N/A

Treatment according to guidelines

All members agreed upon treatment guidelines and protocols which are based on published evidence-based best practice guidelines.

Defined intake criteria

N/A

N/A

Evidenced-based intake criteria are clearly defined and articulated to referrers for both urgent and non-urgent referrals.

Coordination

N/A

N/A

A member is appointed as the coordinator to provide overall coordination of the team

Continuity of Care and Communication

Continuity of care during hospitalization

Feedback to GPs and home care providers

N/A

Management plans are communicated in a timely manner (within 5 business days) to the referrer and all relevant health professionals involved in the patient’s care including the GP.

Quality improvement

Compulsory audit

Compulsory audit

Compulsory audit