title: Evaluation of Speak for Myself with Patients Who Are Voiceless.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the creation and initial feasibility study of a new computer application to improve communication with people who cannot communicate by customary means during their hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design.
  
  
  METHODS
  This exploratory feasibility study obtained data about the experiences of 20 intensive care patients in three South Florida hospitals who were unable to speak due to mechanical obstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study participants (20), who ranged in age from 45 to 91 years (M=67.4, SD=12.88) and between -1 to +1 (SD=-0.15) on the Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale, used Speak for Myself from 4 to 16 hours with a mean of 8.86 (SD=2.12). Ninety-five percent of the participants stated that Speak for Myself was helpful for communication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Speak for Myself was helpful to patients who used it. This was a small study (n=20). It warrants further investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients who are unable to communicate their needs through conventional methods still want to make their preferences and needs known. Speak for Myself is a new application that facilitates ensuring the patient's voice is heard.
authors.affiliation: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Rebecca S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Koszalinski
authors.affiliation: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tappen
authors.affiliation: Department of Music Engineering, School of Music, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Viggiano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001044:Aphonia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010358:Patient Participation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012984:Software
keywords: Communication; Speak for Myself; patient autonomy; patient voice