Date of Award
3-16-2026
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School Name
Donna and Allan Lansing School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Major Advisor
Dr. Leslie Leffler
Second Advisor
Dr. Heather Owens
Third Advisor
Dr. Anne Veno
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Completing wound care consultations using digital technology is an uncommon practice in the acute care setting. Evidence suggests that virtual wound care consultations may decrease consultation completion times and improve departmental efficiency; however, evidence specific to the acute care setting remains limited.
Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice, quality improvement project was to evaluate the feasibility and impact of implementing virtual wound care consultation in the acute care setting to improve departmental efficiency. Efficiency was measured by calculating the total time elapsed between the consultation order and consultation completion.
Methods: Guided by the Model for Improvement and the Plan–Do–Study–Act cycle, virtual wound care consultations were conducted using facility-owned iPads equipped with secure Zoom access and hands-free communication devices. Eligible patients were 18 years of age or older, without an ostomy, vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) in place or requiring placement, or stage III or greater pressure injury. Patients outside designated project units or who declined a virtual consultation were excluded.
Results: A total of 457 (n = 230 pre-intervention; n = 227 post-intervention) wound care consultations were completed during the 12-week project timeframe. Although virtual consultations were feasible, utilization was lower than anticipated (18.5%). Completion time data were not normally distributed; therefore, a Mann–Whitney U test (U = 26,671, p = .688) was used. A second analysis excluding outliers yielded similar results (U = 18,133, p = .728). The null hypothesis was retained.
Discussion: While virtual wound care consultations did not demonstrate a statistically significant reduction in completion time, the findings support feasibility in the acute care setting.
Recommended Citation
Mock Contreras, Brooke M., "Improved Efficiencies with Virtual Wound Nurse Consults: An Evidence-Based Practice, Quality Improvement Project" (2026). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Capstones. 220.
https://scholarworks.bellarmine.edu/tdc/220