Date of Conferral

11-5-2025

Date of Award

November 2025

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Maria Revell

Abstract

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project addressed a gap in practice in an outpatient treatment center for discharging patients with substance use disorder (SUD), addressing the need for follow-up care and relapse prevention due to the widespread impact of SUD. Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) help healthcare professionals make informed decisions for specific clinical situations. The guiding question asked whether an expert panel would evaluate and validate a CPG developed from current, evidence-based literature and recommendations with 70% agreement using the AGREE II tool. The CPG focused on continuity of care, access to resources, and relapse prevention strategies. Seven expert reviewers from various healthcare backgrounds evaluated the guidelines, all with significant experience working with this patient group. Scores on the six domains were rated 100% on all the domains except a 99.5% on the domain representing applicability. The overall review score exceeded the 70% agreement objective. Guidelines were distributed and assessed by panelists, with results reviewed in detail with stakeholders. Key features included comprehensive patient assessments and initiation of outpatient support before discharge. Evaluation scores were very high, highlighting strong agreement on scope, stakeholder involvement, development rigor, clarity, and applicability. The CPG is expected to improve nursing care by supporting better follow-up and reducing relapse rates, promoting long-term recovery for SUD patients. This CPG can improve outcomes for discharging patients with SUD and support positive social change when used by providers in this outpatient treatment center setting.

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