|
|
||
                    
|
|||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brockville General Hospital |
|
   
|
|
|
News Release |
|
|
|
|||
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brockville—With the implementation of a new patient dysphagia screening process called STAND, Brockville General Hospital has taken another step in enhancing hospital patient safety for Brockville and area. The Screening Tool for Acute Neuro Dysphagia (STAND) was recently phased into standard practice in the nursing wards at BGH to increase the identification of dysphagia—difficulty in swallowing—in new patient admissions. “STAND was one of seven best practice recommended tools listed in the 2008 Ontario Stroke System Dysphagia Screening Tools Review,” explains Caryn Langstaff, Regional Stroke Rehabilitation Coordinator for the Stroke Network of Southeastern Ontario. “It is a simple yet highly effective tool, one that shows high sensitivity for identifying dysphagia in patients that might otherwise go undetected.” Current statistics show that dysphagia is present in between 37% to 78% of new stroke admissions in Ontario. Patients have three times the risk of developing pneumonia after stroke if dysphagia is present; pneumonia can increase hospital length of stay, and even the risk of mortality following stroke. “The STAND tool was implemented at BGH as a global dysphagia screening tool for all stroke patients,” says Diane Bowen, BGH Nurse Educator. “We have extended this screening to include other appropriate patients, as indicated. “The process is taught via speech language pathologists (SLP) to nurses,” she continues, “who then can teach other nurses which is a great way to build our knowledge capacity. The actual test takes about five minutes. An initial assessment is done with anyone a nurse may suspect has swallowing difficulties. If that is passed, we then move on to swallow challenges with a puree, then water from a cup, followed by water from a straw. Some of the signs we check for include alertness, coughing, changes in vocal quality, any struggle or delay with swallowing, and evidence of oxygen desaturation. Any patient not passing the screening at any point is then referred to an SLP for a full assessment. If they pass, we still watch for three full meals, just in case.” The results of the STAND screening are impressive. Langstaff says that 92% of patients with dysphagia will be detected with this screening process. “This is collaborative care at its best,” she says, “and part of the continued rollout of this screening tool in our region. STAND is a great example of interprofessional collaborative care, one that builds capacity and stretches resources particularly for community hospitals like BGH where SLP resources are limited.” “We began to teach STAND to our nurses in early September,” explains Bowen, “under the direction of our staff SLP Lynn Varma. At first the nurses were a bit nervous, wondering about doing assessments, but very quickly took to what is actually a screening. We’re excited that in just this short time, we have seen very positive results,” she adds, “such as decreased aspiration pneumonia and increased awareness of possible patient dysphagia just by watching them eat. STAND has allowed us to identify many more patients with swallowing difficulties than we would have before.” What is the special benefit to patients and their families? For families with frail loved ones in hospital, STAND means greater peace of mind. “My father was open to it,” says Carolyn Nolan, whose father John Nolan was one of the latest patients to go through the new screening process. “It was very thorough and very well done by the staff.” John Nolan suffers from Parkinson’s Disease, and recently had a partial hip replacement due to a fall. “He is in BGH dealing with the restless leg problem from Parkinson’s,” explains his daughter, “and having him screened for dysphagia assisted in the staff providing for his comfort. With Parkinson’s, you have challenges swallowing. I appreciate that BGH staff is taking notice of this, for my father’s better safety in hospital.” BGH continues to mark its own Patient Safety Month through November.  STANDing united for patient safety with patient John Nolan (seated, centre) are the BGH STAND team (seated l – r) Tammy Lehman, Diane Bowen, (standing, l – r) Sheila Coutts, Deanne Osborne, Lynn Varma and Adonica Keddy. For more information, please contact:
Healthy people – Outstanding Care
|
