Aims & Objectives:
- To assess the safety and feasibility of SLTs screening urgent/ high priority voice and swallow patients at an OPD ENT clinic
- To measure the effectiveness of SLT screening on waitlist management for high priority patients on an OPD ENT clinic
- To lead and inform the evolving role of advanced practice for SLT diagnostics in a regional specialist centre for ENT
Methods: A PDSA cycle was adopted to the review. A planning meeting took place with hospital management and ENT surgeons to discuss; Inclusion/ exclusion criteria, hospital governance and risk management, clinical space and appointment allocation, resourcing, a local PPG was devised.
Results: The pilot was commenced by reviewing one ENT Consultant’s urgent referrals (n=85). 9% (n=7) referrals were deemed appropriate for direct speech and language therapy review.
(n=7) 100% of patients received an abbreviated voice stroboscopy and 67% (n=4) of patients received an abbreviated flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES).
The initiative was successful from a waitlist perspective, n=5 (71%) of patients were discharged directly from the ENT waitlist. N=2 patients (29%) required ENT follow up. There were no known adverse incidents
Conclusion: The initiative provided a timely, safe and high quality examination to the service users. The service provided a comprehensive package including diagnostics, therapeutic intervention, education and onward referral to community services, if indicated.
Ruth Mulcahy 1 , Maire Ring 1 , Gerard Thong 2
1 Department of Speech & Language Therapy, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork
2 Department of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital,
Cork