Date of Conferral
5-22-2025
Date of Award
May 2025
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Catherine Fant
Abstract
This quality improvement (QI) initiative in a British Virgin Islands (BVI) primary healthcare setting involved the problem of inconsistent wound care management among registered nurses, which was a concern that was identified in a 2023 audit. The BVI Health Service Authority (HSA)’s diverse nursing staff, which is recruited across the Caribbean, contributed to varied wound care approaches, negatively impacting healthcare delivery and quality. These inconsistencies led to unequal resource access, increased infection and complication risks, and potential financial and legal liabilities. Furthermore, it could negatively affect staff and patient perceptions, potentially decreasing patient satisfaction, highlighting the urgent need for standardized and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). This project involved implementing a CPG for BVI primary care nurses to improve patient outcomes and care quality. This involved addressing how standardized CPG implementation could reduce variations in wound care management. Four AGREE II-experienced experts assessed the guideline during refinement, yielding satisfactory findings with high domain scores (70%-77%). The evaluation highlighted the guideline’s robust quality and appropriateness, noting its well-defined scope, inclusive stakeholder involvement, rigorous evidence-linked development, clear presentation, consideration of implementation factors, and freedom from bias. This research and data-driven approach involved creating a CPG that standardized practices and improved efficiency, ultimately leading to more consistent and safer wound care. Implementing this guideline was expected to promote equity in terms of resource allocation and service delivery while encouraging positive social change, diversity, and inclusion within the healthcare system.
Recommended Citation
John, Trorisia Shanika, "Clinical Practice Guideline for Wound Care Management in Primary Healthcare Settings Across the British Virgin Islands to Minimize Clinical Practice Variations" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17856.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17856
