TCI Hospital Named Best Practice Spotlight Organization

Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital (TCIH) is proud to be recognized by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario for its commitment to advancing evidence-based care and fostering a culture where clinical decisions are guided by the best available research.

This recognition marks TCIH's successful designation as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization(r) (BPSO(r)), a global program that supports healthcare institutions in implementing and sustaining evidence-based practices to improve patient outcomes and strengthen health systems.

"RNAO is proud to honour Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital and their progress as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization(r) (BPSO(r)). The team's dedication to patient- and family-centred care, strengthening safety practices and preventing harm from falls and pressure injuries reflects the tremendous work they've done," said Dr. Doris Grinspun, CEO of RNAO. "Through staff education, interprofessional collaboration and strong leadership support, TCIH has shown that even smaller health systems can successfully use research to improve everyday care."

TCIH joined the BPSO program in 2021 with the goal of elevating nursing standards and embedding evidence-based practices across the organization. In 2025, the hospital achieved full designation after successfully implementing key best practice guidelines in Person- and Family-Centred Care, Falls Prevention and Pressure Injury Prevention.

As part of this process, RNAO conducted a site visit to assess the hospital's progress, including its infrastructure, staff engagement and implementation of best practice guidelines. The visit also included Best Practice Champions training, equipping staff with tools to lead change and sustain continuous improvement.

"This week's Champions training equipped staff with practical tools to lead and support change as they implement new guidelines," said Dr. Michelle Rey, Director of International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Centre at RNAO. "I'm pleased with the significant progress TCIH has accomplished over the past few years, including developing comprehensive educational plans, aligning policies with best practices and maintaining strong staff engagement."

Mrs. Mikette Been, Chief of Clinical Services and BPSO Lead at TCIH, highlighted the significance of the achievement: "As BPSO Lead for the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospitals, I am immensely proud of this achievement and the dedication shown by our entire team in embedding evidence-based practice into everyday care.

“This recognition reflects not only our commitment to excellence, but also our shared vision of delivering safe, patient- and family-centred care across the Turks and Caicos Islands. We remain committed to sustaining this momentum and continuing to strengthen outcomes for those we serve."

Dr. Denise Brathwaite-Tennant, CEO of Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital, emphasized both the milestone and the broader impact of the partnership: "Achieving designation as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization(r) is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. It reflects a shared vision across our organization-where evidence, compassion and collaboration guide every aspect of care we deliver.

“We are deeply grateful to the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario for making these invaluable resources accessible and for championing nursing excellence not only in the Caribbean, but globally. Through this partnership, we are empowered to strengthen our systems, support our staff and deliver safer, higher-quality care for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands."

This milestone comes as TCIH also celebrates 16 years of service to the community, marking over a decade of progress in advancing healthcare delivery across the islands. Looking ahead, the hospital will continue its journey of improvement by implementing additional best practice guidelines, including Transitions in Care and Services and Pain: Prevention, Assessment and Management.