Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital
Abstract This feasibility study aimed to trial a Free Water Protocol (FWP) for patients with thin liquid dysphagia in the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) setting. Patients with dysphagia are often prescribed thickened liquids to avoid or mitigate aspiration. While this clinical intervention ca...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29448-5 |
| _version_ | 1797865025987149824 |
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| author | Stefanie Gaidos Henry C. Hrdlicka John Corbett |
| author_facet | Stefanie Gaidos Henry C. Hrdlicka John Corbett |
| author_sort | Stefanie Gaidos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This feasibility study aimed to trial a Free Water Protocol (FWP) for patients with thin liquid dysphagia in the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) setting. Patients with dysphagia are often prescribed thickened liquids to avoid or mitigate aspiration. While this clinical intervention can minimize the risk of aspiration pneumonia (PNA), it is generally not well received by patients. As such, the goal of this study was to determine if patients who knowingly aspirate thin liquids can safely tolerate thin liquid water, and if so, to what degree of benefit. The study assessed for adverse events, fluid intake, hydration status, quality of life, and overall swallow function outcomes. These measurements were taken over a 7 day trial period using inventories, lab work, clinical judgment, and observation. Ten participants were enrolled in this study with 9 having sufficient data for analysis (n = 9). No adverse events related to the FWP were observed, and patients saw improved total fluid intake (P = 0.0074), swallow-related quality of life (P = 0.0273), and overall swallow function (P = 0.0002). The results in this feasibility study allowed for the hospital wide implementation of the FWP and laid out the groundwork for future studies looking at longitudinal effects of a FWP. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T23:02:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2150649d9e3441318b101eed0d1efa77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T23:02:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-2150649d9e3441318b101eed0d1efa772023-03-22T10:52:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-02-0113111110.1038/s41598-023-29448-5Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospitalStefanie Gaidos0Henry C. Hrdlicka1John Corbett2Department of Inpatient Speech Language Pathology, Gaylord Specialty HealthcareMilne Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Gaylord Specialty HealthcareMilne Institute for Healthcare Innovation, Gaylord Specialty HealthcareAbstract This feasibility study aimed to trial a Free Water Protocol (FWP) for patients with thin liquid dysphagia in the Long-Term Acute Care Hospital (LTACH) setting. Patients with dysphagia are often prescribed thickened liquids to avoid or mitigate aspiration. While this clinical intervention can minimize the risk of aspiration pneumonia (PNA), it is generally not well received by patients. As such, the goal of this study was to determine if patients who knowingly aspirate thin liquids can safely tolerate thin liquid water, and if so, to what degree of benefit. The study assessed for adverse events, fluid intake, hydration status, quality of life, and overall swallow function outcomes. These measurements were taken over a 7 day trial period using inventories, lab work, clinical judgment, and observation. Ten participants were enrolled in this study with 9 having sufficient data for analysis (n = 9). No adverse events related to the FWP were observed, and patients saw improved total fluid intake (P = 0.0074), swallow-related quality of life (P = 0.0273), and overall swallow function (P = 0.0002). The results in this feasibility study allowed for the hospital wide implementation of the FWP and laid out the groundwork for future studies looking at longitudinal effects of a FWP.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29448-5 |
| spellingShingle | Stefanie Gaidos Henry C. Hrdlicka John Corbett Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital Scientific Reports |
| title | Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| title_full | Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| title_short | Implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| title_sort | implementation of a free water protocol at a long term acute care hospital |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29448-5 |
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