Screening adult patients with a tracheostomy tube for dysphagia: a mixed‐methods study of practice in the UK

Abstract

Current practice in the UK for screening patients with a tracheostomy for swallow problems is varied and often suboptimal. Despite the evidence for enhancing outcomes, MDT working is still perceived as problematic. A swallow screening tool for use with this population, to enhance MDT working whilst also ensuring that practice fits in line with current evidence, may improve patient safety and care.

Multidisciplinary Team's Performance in Dysphagic Patients Care in The Hospital Environment

“…Sakakura (2017) study reported that dysphagia requires a multidisciplinary approach and that it is possible to introduce a new protocol using a flexible endoscopic evaluation based on Wi-Fi swallowing system (FEES) and verify its efficacy in the evaluation and rehabilitation of patients with the conclusion that the Wi-Fi-based wireless FEES system allows the multidisciplinary team to easily and effectively evaluate patients hospitalized with dysphagia, facilitating simple exams and intense interdisciplinary discussions for patient rehabilitation. Ginnelly (2016) says in his study that in current UK practice the screening of patients with dysphagia is varied, although the evidence indicates that it is possible to obtain better results because it notes that teamwork is still perceived as problematic by some professionals.…”