Effect of Structured Wound Care Protocols on Healing Outcomes in Surgical Patients at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State

Background: Postoperative wound infections extend hospital stays, increase costs, and worsen patient outcomes. Structured wound care nursing protocols are a modifiable factor in reducing infection rates and improving healing. Aim: This study evaluated the effect of structured wound care protocols on healing outcomes in surgical patients at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test design was used. Sixty post-operative patients were assigned to protocol and standard care groups. Wound healing was assessed weekly using the BATES-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool over four weeks. Data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The protocol group showed significantly faster wound healing progression scores at weeks two and four (p < 0.05). Infection rates were 6.7% in the protocol group compared with 23.3% in the standard care group. Nursing protocol adherence was monitored through checklist completion rates. Conclusion: Structured wound care protocols significantly improve healing outcomes and reduce postoperative infections. Hospitals should develop, implement, and regularly update evidence-based wound care protocols and ensure adequate nursing consumables for consistent application. Keywords: wound care protocols, surgical nursing, healing outcomes, Irrua, infection prevention.