RN dysphagia screening, a stepwise approach.
According to the Joint Commission, dysphagia, which occurs in anywhere from 27% to 50% of stroke patients and often leads to aspiration, is a significant quality/safety indicator. As such, it is identified as a standard of performance when awarding disease-specific certification in stroke care. Application for this certification required one institution to assign a multidisciplinary process improvement team to develop and implement a dysphagia screening protocol to replace their current practice, which was being used on an inconsistent basis. This article outlines the steps necessary to identify and tailor a tool for dysphagia screening, develop a protocol to ensure appropriate use of said tool, and use a multiphase implementation process to identify strengths and weaknesses as well as create caregiver support for the practice change.
Courtney
Bobby A
BA
Indiana University School of Law, Indianapolis, IN, USA. bobby.a.courtney@gmail.com
Flier
Lisa A
LA
D000068:Accreditation; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D007591:Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009737:Nursing Records; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology