Hansjee, Dharinee (2013) A safer approach to risk feeding. RCSLT Bulletin, 2013 (Feb). pp. 20-21. ISSN 1466-173X

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Abstract

As a first step in developing a safer approach to risk feeding, I conducted a review of seven patients on a ward for older people in an acute care hospital who were referred to speech and language therapy during March 2011. Not all had a confirmed history of dementia but all lacked capacity to make their own decisions on nutrition planning. A review of the medical case notes established the number of days from admission to when a nutrition plan was put in place. A crucial finding was that there was a delay in nutrition planning for five out of the seven patients. A more detailed analysis of the medical notes revealed that following a clinical swallowing evaluation by an SLT, the five patients were 'unsafe' on all consistencies trialed, were at risk of developing aspiration pneumonia and needed a multidisciplinary team decision on the way forward with nutrition. Another key finding related to the inconsistencies of the diet regime for these patients. Some were placed on a normal diet and fluids and referred to speech and language therapy when there was reduced oral intake; others were made nil by mouth with intravenous fluids, compromising their safety and comfort. My findings highlighted the need to introduce a process to better manage nutrition and hydration in this patient group and it seemed integral to develop a system to inform and hasten the decision-making process. This led to the development of a risk feeding protocol.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	risk; dysphagia; pneumonia
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD61 Risk Management H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman R Medicine > RG Gynecology and obstetrics
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > Institute for Lifecourse Development > Centre for Chronic Illness and Ageing Faculty of Education, Health & Human Sciences > School of Health Sciences (HEA)
Last Modified:	15 Nov 2022 11:54
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/37955

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