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For Peter Blodgett, a VON clinic client, a simple choice of footwear almost turned a fun golf trip to Jamaica into a healthcare crisis. A type 2 diabetic, Peter brought along an old pair of golf shoes, planning to throw them out before returning home.

“I ended up getting blisters on two toes, and next thing I know, they got infected and I'm dealing with infection issues and having to go to the doctor and get antibiotics,” Peter says. At one point, the infection became so severe that the bone protruded from his big toe. 

Peter praises the follow-up care he received from the VON nurses at our Peterborough nursing clinic. “I've had three different bouts of infection in a toe, and each time I ended up going to my doctor, then going to the wound clinic at the hospital and then going to the VON clinic, and they were lifesavers. I could have very easily lost two of the toes, but they're all good now.”

Nicole Clodd, VON Nursing Care and Service Manager, says Peter was wise to seek immediate care. “He's a great case of being seen immediately after finding the issue and being healed. We want somebody to report it,” she says. “We see cases all the time where somebody's trying to deal with it for months on their own, and then it becomes worse.”

Peter hadn’t previously experienced any issues with his feet, and felt his diabetes was well managed. “I took my meds, and everything seemed to be fine, but I realized very quickly that things can go from bad to worse real fast if you don't look after yourself.” He says the VON team has taught him how to notice signs and respond quickly. 

As president of Darling Insurance, Peter also appreciates the flexibility offered by the VON nursing clinic, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 365 days a year. “I was able to do things on my own time, so that I'm fortunate I didn't lose time at work,” he says. Clients also receive the supplies they will need at home. 

Peter chose to donate to VON, a registered charity, in gratitude for his care. “To me, it's the ease of getting looked after as quickly as possible. The second part is the expertise that the VONs offer. They're trained in wound care, and they know exactly what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and what are the steps that are needed to get you healed up.”

VON’s busy Peterborough nursing clinic is staffed by registered nurses (RNs) and registered practical nurses (RPNs), supported by two area nurses specialized in wound, ostomy and continence (NSWOCs) and a skin wellness associate nurse (SWAN). 

“All of our RNs and RPNs are working at a full-scope capacity, thanks to our nursing educator, Tracy Robinson,” says Nicole. “She does a fantastic job with our orientation, our training, and also continuous training.”

Clinic nurses perform a wide range of patient care, including vacuum-assisted wound closure, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) care, catheter care, ostomy changes, port care, ultrasound-guided IV therapy, intravenous (IV) therapy for wound care, removal of staples and stitches, iron infusions, drain care, skin assessments, health teaching and Total Contact Casting.

“Everything that the client may go back to emergency for, we can normally do in the clinic setting,” Nicole says. “It's all about the client and ensuring they have the best care provided to them. Our biggest thing is to prevent the emergency department (ED) visit. With clients being seen by the skilled nurses in the clinic, we are also alleviating some of the pressures on the ED so they have room to focus on urgent care and emergent visits.”

Clinic care requires an order from a primary care provider, such as a family physician or nurse practitioner, along with a referral from Ontario Health atHome.

If you would like to donate to support VON care and services, please visit von.ca/donate.