The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate, utilizing clinical and financial outcomes, the critical pathway approach to diabetic foot infections in an inpatient setting. All patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of a diabetic foot infection over an 18-month period from 1995 through 1996 were included in this retrospective study. Comparison is made between the podiatry-established critical pathway and nonpathway patient groups. Then comparison is made between these groups and a similar patient group from 1993 to confirm the validity of the overall results. There was a significant decrease in hospital stay and charges for pathway patients in 1995 and 1996 as compared to nonpathway patients in 1993 as well as 1995 and 1996 (p < .05). The authors also noted a significant decrease in major amputations (BKA or AKA) in pathway patients as compared to baseline values (1993 = 23%, 1995-1996 = 7%, p = .02) and as compared to patients not treated with this approach in 1995 and 1996 (pathway = 7%, nonpathway = 29%, p < .001). The data suggest that the use of a critical pathway approach allows earlier recognition, evaluation, and expedient treatment of potentially limb-threatening infections, improving patient outcomes by decreasing pedal morbidity, while encouraging judicious use of hospital resources.