Abstract

Background: Xylazine-adulterated fentanyl is linked to distinctive necrotic wounds and complex care needs in unsheltered populations. This quality improvement (QI) project implemented a brief survey and referral log at Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) to track suspected xylazine-associated wounds and referrals to advanced care. Methods: Final data were exported from Qualtrics, cleaned to retain finished responses, standardized categories, and de-identified. The analytic sample included 18 encounters. Results: Results showed that 55.6% (n = 10) documented suspected xylazine-associated wounds; 5.6% (n = 1) reported no suspicion; 38.9% (n = 7) were uncertain. Referrals were rarely documented overall at AHCH (11.1%, n = 2). Among suspected cases, the documented referral rate was 10.0%. Conclusions: Findings reinforce a recognition-to-action gap and highlight opportunities to embed standardized prompts, referral criteria, and harm-reduction resources to increase reliable linkage to advanced wound care.

Provenance

Final approved DNP scholarly project completed at the University of New Mexico College of Nursing and submitted in fulfillment of Doctor of Nursing Practice degree requirements.

Language

English

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

College of Nursing

First Committee Member

Sharon Schaaf

Keywords

xylazine; xylazine-associated wounds; homelessness; harm reduction; wound care; substance use disorder; quality improvement; referral pathways; fentanyl; nursing practice

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