RN dysphagia screening, a stepwise approach.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Dysphagia affects 27-50% of stroke patients, increasing aspiration risk and impacting quality metrics.
• The Joint Commission designates dysphagia as a key indicator for disease-specific stroke care certification.
• Inconsistent screening practices necessitated a standardized protocol.

Observation:

• A multidisciplinary team was tasked with developing and implementing a dysphagia screening protocol.
• The process involved identifying and tailoring a suitable screening tool.
• A multiphase implementation strategy was employed to refine the protocol.

Findings:

• The developed protocol aimed to replace inconsistent prior practices.
• The multiphase implementation facilitated identification of protocol strengths and weaknesses.
• Caregiver support was cultivated to ensure successful practice change.

Implications:

• Standardized dysphagia screening enhances patient safety in stroke care.
• Implementation of evidence-based protocols is crucial for quality certification.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration is key to successful healthcare practice change.