Evaluation and Treatment of Post-Extubation Dysphagia: The Importance of the Speech Pathologist in the Intensive Care Unit

Author(s):  
Stevie Marvin

Purpose: Post-extubation dysphagia is associated with negative health outcomes including pneumonia, prolonged hospital stay, in-hospital mortality, and inability to discharge home. The purpose of this review article is to summarize published research on screening, evaluating, and treating post-extubation dysphagia. Method: Review of published literature on post-extubation dysphagia to shape best practice guidelines for speech pathologists. Results: Current research on post-extubation dysphagia focuses heavily on screening and evaluation. There are limited data on targeted treatment methods for post-extubation dysphagia. Conclusions: Speech pathologists play a critical role in helping patients safely return to oral alimentation following prolonged endotracheal intubation. Speech pathologists should use the available research to shape best practice guidelines within their facility for who, when, and how to evaluate for dysphagia following extubation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711581
Author(s):  
Charlotte Greene ◽  
Alice Pearson

BackgroundOpioids are effective analgesics for acute and palliative pain, but there is no evidence base for long-term pain relief. They also carry considerable risks such as overdose and dependence. Despite this, they are increasingly prescribed for chronic pain. In the UK, opioid prescribing more than doubled between 1998 and 2018.AimAn audit at Bangholm GP Practice to understand the scale of high-strength opioid prescribing. The aim of the audit was to find out if indications, length of prescription, discussion, and documentation at initial consultation and review process were consistent with best-practice guidelines.MethodA search on Scottish Therapeutics Utility for patients prescribed an average daily dose of opioid equivalent ≥50 mg morphine between 1 July 2019 and 1 October 2019, excluding methadone, cancer pain, or palliative prescriptions. The Faculty of Pain Medicine’s best-practice guidelines were used.ResultsDemographics: 60 patients (37 females), average age 62, 28% registered with repeat opioid prescription, 38% comorbid depression. Length of prescription: average 6 years, 57% >5 years, 22% >10 years. Opioid: 52% tramadol, 23% on two opioids. Indications: back pain (42%), osteoarthritis (12%), fibromyalgia (10%). Initial consultation: 7% agreed outcomes, 35% follow-up documented. Review: 56% 4-week, 70% past year.ConclusionOpioid prescribing guidelines are not followed. The significant issues are: long-term prescriptions for chronic pain, especially back pain; new patients registering with repeat prescriptions; and no outcomes of treatment agreed, a crucial message is the goal is pain management rather than relief. Changes have been introduced at the practice: a patient information sheet, compulsory 1-month review for new patients on opioids, and in-surgery pain referrals.


Geoheritage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Crofts ◽  
Dan Tormey ◽  
John E. Gordon

AbstractThis paper introduces newly published guidelines on geoheritage conservation in protected and conserved areas within the “IUCN WCPA Best Practice Guidelines” series. It explains the need for the guidelines and outlines the ethical basis of geoheritage values and geoconservation principles as the fundamental framework within which to advance geoheritage conservation. Best practice in establishing and managing protected and conserved areas for geoconservation is described with examples from around the world. Particular emphasis is given to the methodology and practice for dealing with the many threats to geoheritage, highlighting in particular how to improve practice for areas with caves and karst, glacial and periglacial, and volcanic features and processes, and for palaeontology and mineral sites. Guidance to improve education and communication to the public through modern and conventional means is also highlighted as a key stage in delivering effective geoconservation. A request is made to geoconservation experts to continue to share best practice examples of developing methodologies and best practice in management to guide non-experts in their work. Finally, a number of suggestions are made on how geoconservation can be further promoted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382198915
Author(s):  
Christoph Schwering ◽  
Gertrud Kammler ◽  
Eva Wibbeler ◽  
Martin Christner ◽  
Johannes K.-M. Knobloch ◽  
...  

Intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapy (ICV-ERT) for CLN2 disease represents the first approved treatment for neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) diseases. It is the first treatment where a recombinant lysosomal enzyme, cerliponase alfa, is administered into the lateral cerebral ventricles to reach the central nervous system, the organ affected in CLN2 disease. If untreated, CLN2 children show first symptoms such as epilepsy and language developmental delay at 2-4 years followed by rapid loss of motor and language function, vision loss, and early death. Treatment with cerliponase alfa has shown to slow the rapid neurologic decline. However, the mode of administration by 4 hour-long intracerebroventricular infusions every 14 days represents a potentially greater risk of infection compared to intravenous enzyme replacement therapies. The Hamburg NCL Specialty Clinic was the first site worldwide to perform intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapy in children with CLN2 disease. In order to ensure maximum patient safety, we analysed data from our center from more than 3000 intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapies in 48 patients over 6 years with regard to the occurrence of device-related adverse events and device infections. Since starting intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapy, we have also developed and continuously improved the “Hamburg Best Practice Guidelines for ICV–Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) in CLN2 Disease.” Results from this study showed low rates for device-related adverse events and infections with 0.27% and 0.33%, respectively. Therefore, following our internal procedural guidelines has shown to improve standardization and patient safety of intracerebroventricular enzyme replacement therapy for CLN2 disease.


Author(s):  
Hossein Khalili ◽  
Anthony Breitbach ◽  
Gail Jensen ◽  
Sharla King ◽  
Barbara Maxwell ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Emily Buckley ◽  
Mazen Alalawi

Abstract Background A history of a previous fall is one of the best predictors of future falls, increasing its risk 3-fold. The Health Service Executive (HSE) best practice guidelines recommend that all patients aged over 65 years in contact with healthcare professionals should be asked routinely whether they have fallen in the past year and asked about the fall-frequency, context and characteristics. The aim of this audit was to increase falls recognition by medical professionals following the implementation of a falls screening questionnaire into the admission proforma of an acute hospital. Methods This was a clinical audit. Data was collected on 29 consecutive patients aged > 65 who were admitted via the emergency department of an acute hospital over a 6 day period. Data on falls was collected using the medical admissions hospital proforma during the first 72 hours. Following the initial audit, a new proforma containing a falls screening questionnaire (as per best practice guidelines) was introduced and an information session provided on its use. A re-audit of 17 admitted medical patients was then completed over the next 72 hours. Results The initial audit highlighted poor assessment of falls with only 3 (25%) patients being screened at admission. 1 (33%) had a fall; described as mechanical. Following introduction of a falls screening questionnaire into the admission proforma, a re-audit showed a significant increase, with 58% of admissions now being screened. Of these, 40% had fallen in the last year: 75% of falls were mechanical and 25% due to other causes. Conclusion This audit shows that falls in this patient population was largely unrecognised by medical professionals. Following implementation of a screening questionnaire, significant improvements were made. This audit concludes that implementation of a falls screening questionnaire into the medical admissions proforma is an effective method in identifying falls in older patients admitted to hospital.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document