Dysphagia Management in the Emergency Department: Using Concept Mapping to Identify Actionable Change to Improve Services.

Background: Integrated speech-language pathology (SLP) services within the emergency department (ED) may facilitate timely dysphagia management. However, there are multiple patient and logistical factors specific to the ED that challenge the delivery of optimal dysphagia referral and management practices within this setting. The aim of the current study was to engage a stakeholder group to identify prioritised, actionable goals that could help enhance dysphagia management within the ED.

Nature and timeliness of dysphagia management within an emergency setting.

Purpose: To examine referral pathways, clinical demographics, and timeliness of dysphagia management within an emergency department (ED) setting utilising both ED staff and speech-language pathology (SLP) initiated referral pathways.

Method: Six-month retrospective service review of patients who received dysphagia assessment by SLP within a major Australian ED. Data were collected on demographics, referral information, and SLP assessment and service outcomes.

Understanding barriers and facilitators to speech-language pathology service delivery in the emergency department.

Purpose: Timely speech-language pathology (SLP) involvement with dysphagic patients in the Emergency Department (ED) may improve patient outcomes. This study utilised qualitative interviews to understand current models and explore factors which have influenced establishment and current dysphagia service provision in Australian EDs.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from 12 acute hospital facilities with a SLP ED service.