Background
Eating and Drinking with acknowledged risk (EDAR) is when a person with an impaired swallow (dysphagia) that is unlikely to improve continues to eat and drink despite a risk of choking or aspiration. Dysphagia is common in patients with head and neck cancer and can be long-term due to the effects of radiation and chemoradiation. Patients with dysphagia where it is considered unsafe to continue with oral intake can express a preference to eat and drink despite the risks. Management of this patient cohort is complex, involving consideration of medical care, nutritional needs, the patient’s preferences, and decision-making capacity, in view of this a coordinated approach to managing EDAR is recommended.
This study aims to evaluate the process and impact of implementing an EDAR protocol that provides the multidisciplinary team (MDT) with a person-centred framework and a coordinated, streamlined pathway of care that addresses MDT decision-making, informed patient decision-making, patient education and standardised documentation.
Methodology
A qualitative analysis will be conducted on data gathered from patient and staff surveys and feedback sessions to identify if the process of implementing an EDAR protocol impacts MDT decision-making, standardisation of procedures and patient decision-making.
Results & Conclusions
Pending
Mairead Cronin1, Teresa Hanevy1
1 Department of Speech & Language Therapy, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork