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Speech-language pathologist involvement in the paediatric intensive care unit

Rachel Santiago1, Blair J Gorenberg2, Christine Hurtubise2

  • 1Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Enhancement, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
|October 1, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Speech-language pathologist (SLP) involvement in US pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) is infrequent, affecting only 8.5% of critically ill children. Increased awareness of SLP scope of practice is crucial for supporting communication and feeding needs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
  • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Rehabilitation Services

Background:

  • Critically ill children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) often experience communication and swallowing impairments.
  • The role of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in managing these impairments within the PICU setting is not well-defined.
  • Understanding SLP involvement is essential for optimizing patient care and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of speech-language pathologist (SLP) involvement among critically ill children in United States (US) pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).
  • To identify trends and factors associated with SLP involvement in the PICU.
  • To analyze secondary data from the Prevalence of Acute Rehab for Kids in the PICU (PARK-PICU) study.

Main Methods:

  • Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional point prevalence study.
  • Data collected from 82 US PICUs over a single day.
  • Included patient demographics, medical interventions, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and therapy involvement.

Main Results:

  • SLP involvement was identified in 8.5% of 961 patients.
  • Younger children (<3 years) were more likely to receive SLP services.
  • Mechanical ventilation, endotracheal intubation, and disability were associated with lower odds of SLP involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Speech-language pathologist involvement is infrequent in US PICUs.
  • PICU teams require education on the scope of SLP practice.
  • SLP services are vital for supporting communication and oral feeding in early recovery.
Abstract

Keywords:
acute rehabilitationaugmentative and alternative communicationcritical illnessdysphagiaintensive care unitpaediatrics

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