Weekend speech pathology services in Australian health settings: A cross-sectional survey.

PURPOSE: There is limited research on speech-language pathology (SLP) weekend service provision across Australian healthcare services. Therefore, this study aimed to examine weekend SLP services in Australian healthcare services and explore SLP manager perspectives regarding the provision of these services. METHOD: A mixedmethods, cross-sectional survey design was employed. SLP managers (or their facility representatives) from Australian healthcare services completed the survey. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using qualitative content analysis. RESULT: Data from 67 participants were analysed. More than half of the participants' facilities (n = 39, 58.2%) provided a weekend speech pathology service. Most of these facilities were publicly funded (n = 62, 92.5%) and located in metropolitan areas (n = 41, 61.2%). Nearly two-thirds of facilities employed a dedicated speech-language pathologist for weekend service provision (n = 25/38, 65.8%). Service eligibility criteria were highly variable across sites. More than half (n = 37, 52.2%) of participants predicted a future need for increased weekend SLP services to service subacute wards and to enable access to senior clinicians. CONCLUSION: There is variability in weekend SLP service provision, eligibility criteria, and staffing profiles in healthcare facilities around Australia. Further research is required to understand how to inform optimal service delivery models for equitable client care and determine the value of weekend SLP services.

Aphasia associated with non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Individuals with non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) are often excluded from studies of stroke populations due to differing pathophysiology and treatment pathways. Thus, aphasia presentation in the non-traumatic SAH population is potentially under-represented within existing research evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five databases were systematically searched with terms related to "aphasia" and "subarachnoid haemorrhage." Studies were included if aphasia was attributed to non-traumatic SAH or its associated complications, and where at least one language assessment measure used determined the presence or absence of aphasia. Study quality was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). RESULTS: Following deduplication, 2726 articles were identified for title and abstract screening. Full text screening for 162 articles occurred, with 18 articles selected for inclusion. Aphasia incidence ranged from 5 to 24%, and was influenced by assessment measure, timing of assessment, subgroup studied, and classifications of aphasia. Many studies excluded participants with poorer clinical outcome, intracerebral complications, or severe aphasia. Few studies used comprehensive language assessment measures to examine across language domains. CONCLUSIONS: Aphasia presentation is highly heterogenous following non-traumatic SAH. Future research using comprehensive language assessments at multiple time points post onset is required to better understand aphasia presentation and management needs for this population.

Aphasia screening and/or assessment should be routinely performed for all individuals following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).Comprehensive assessment across all language domains is required to ascertain the nature and extent of aphasia.Co-occurring cognitive deficits are likely in the SAH population.

Clinical Predictors of Dysphagia Recovery After Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common post-stroke and can have serious consequences for patients. Understanding dysphagia recovery is critically important to inform prognostication and support patients and professionals with care planning. This systematic review was undertaken to identify clinical predictors of dysphagia recovery post-stroke. Online databases (EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane) were searched for studies reporting longitudinal swallowing recovery in adults post-stroke. Dysphagia recovery was defined as improvement measured on a clinical swallowing scale or upgrade in oral and/or enteral feeding status by the end of the follow-up period. The search strategy returned 6598 studies from which 87 studies went through full-text screening, and 19 studies were included that met the eligibility criteria. Age, airway compromise identified on instrumental assessment, dysphagia severity, bilateral lesions, and stroke severity were identified as predictors of persistent dysphagia and negative recovery in multiple logistic regression analysis. The available literature was predominated by retrospective data, and comparison of outcomes was limited by methodological differences across the studies in terms of the choice of assessment, measure of recovery, and period of follow-up. Future prospective research is warranted with increased representation of haemorrhagic strokes and uniform use of standardized scales of swallowing function.

Speech pathology prescribing in the outpatient setting: A review of requirements, considerations and barriers.

BACKGROUND: As health systems face increasing demands, non-medical prescribing is a workforce redesign strategy adopted within some services. Despite successful implementation in other professional groups, non-medical prescribing within speech pathology (SP) has not yet been described. AIMS: To provide a descriptive account of the development and planned implementation of two SP prescribing models. METHODS & PROCEDURES: The evolution of two SP-led prescribing models, including relevant training and credentialing, for use of (1) nystatin oral drops (100,000 units/mL); and (2) lidocaine (lignocaine) and phenylephrine nasal spray (5 mg/500 µg/spray), in the outpatient setting is detailed. Challenges to implementation are outlined. MAIN CONTRIBUTION: The development of relevant governance structures, a research evidenced-based project evaluation framework, and an overview of training pathways and credentialing was successfully completed. However, implementation of the models was unable to be achieved. A thorough review of the requirements and a discussion of contextual considerations that had a negative influence on the implementation of SP-led prescribing within this specific service context is provided. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: The successful implementation of SP-led prescribing is complex and highly context dependent. This work offers a discussion and review of the complexities of introducing a non-medical prescribing model in an outpatient hospital setting. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Allied Health prescribing is an emerging practice area aiming to reduce current pressures on health services. SP-led prescribing has not been thoroughly investigated in the Australian context. What this study adds to existing knowledge This study describes the development of a SP-led prescribing process in the outpatient setting, and a thorough review and discussion of the drivers and barriers to the model's implementation. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? The successful implementation of SP-led prescribing was identified to be complex from a legislative and operational perspective, as well as being highly context dependent. This study further highlights the importance of a thorough context evaluation and workflow mapping prior to full-scale implementation of SP prescribing trials.

Language function in the acute phase following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Aphasia is common following stroke, with associated negative impacts on quality of life and psychosocial functioning. However, the language function of individuals who develop non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) has been minimally investigated from a speech-language pathology (SLP) perspective. AIMS: To examine and characterise the language function of individuals following non-traumatic SAH in the acute phase and describe the clinical profile and outcomes of individuals in this cohort with language impairment. METHODS & PROCEDURES: Prospective cohort study of adults admitted to a tertiary hospital with primary non-traumatic SAH over a 12-month period (June 2018 to June 2019). Language assessment using the Brisbane Evidence-Based Language Test (EBLT) was performed within 72 h of medical stability. Assessment scores were analysed for 43 participants. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Language impairment was present in 18.6% (n = 8/43) of the cohort, and was associated with increased intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) (p < 0.01) and increased hospital length of stay (p = 0.01). The profile of participants with impaired language was highly variable with difficulties across auditory comprehension, verbal expression, reading comprehension, and written expression. Associated cognitive and attention difficulties also impacted test performance in this cohort. Six of the eight participants with impaired language required ongoing SLP support beyond hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Early, routine assessment of language function of individuals following non-traumatic SAH is essential and should be incorporated into clinical care pathways.

Dysphagia following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: A prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Whilst dysphagia is a commonly reported complication of stroke, it has received relatively little attention in the literature for patients following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). AIMS: To investigate dysphagia incidence, risk factors, clinical progression and recovery in patients following non-traumatic SAH. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A prospective cohort study of 49 patients admitted to a tertiary neurosurgical referral unit with non-traumatic SAH over a 12-month period was conducted. Swallowing function was assessed by a speech-language pathologist within 72 h of medical stability and monitored throughout the acute inpatient admission. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Dysphagia incidence was 16.33% (n = 8/49). Risk factors associated with dysphagia included; Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score on admission, need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of ICU stay, need for intubation and ventilation, and hydrocephalus. Participants with dysphagia were admitted to hospital 1.9 times longer than those without dysphagia (p < 0.05) and were more likely to be transferred to another inpatient facility for ongoing care (p < 0.05). Dysphagia remained present at hospital discharge for over half (62.5%) of participants who developed this complication. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS: Care pathways for patients admitted to hospital with non-traumatic SAH should include early screening for dysphagia risk. Further research using a larger prospective cohort is required to validate dysphagia incidence and risk factors in this patient cohort. What this paper adds What is already known on this subject Dysphagia is a negative complication following non-traumatic SAH, and can occur as a result of primary injury or secondary to treatment complications (e.g., intubation and ventilation, surgical intervention). However, limited evidence regarding its incidence, risk factors, clinical progression and recovery in a prospective cohort exists. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This study is the first to examine prospectively patients with non-traumatic SAH within 72 h of medical stability. It identifies dysphagia incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and recovery during the acute hospital admission for this patient cohort. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Early and regular screening for dysphagia in the presence of associated risk factors is essential for patients admitted with non-traumatic SAH. Speech-language pathologist resources in the neurocritical care context should be available to support the assessment and management of dysphagia in this cohort.

Dysphagia in non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: a scoping review.

There is currently limited information regarding dysphagia following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), which impacts upon speech-language pathologists' (SLP) decisions when providing clinical care for this patient cohort. This scoping review aims to summarise the available evidence on the topic and identify gaps in the literature. The scoping review framework as described by Arskey and O'Malley (Soc Res Methodol 8(1):19-32, 2005) was used. Searches were undertaken in six databases. Inclusion criteria included that participants were adults (18+ years), with a primary diagnosis of non-traumatic SAH, and dysphagia occurred as a result of non-traumatic SAH. Data was extracted by the primary author independently and cross-checked by the second author. Data extracted included year of publication, study location, population, aims of the study, study design, method used to identify dysphagia, who completed the assessment, dysphagia incidence, dysphagia type and severity, risk factors, characteristics, and intervention details. Ten studies were included. Dysphagia was diagnosed based on staff reports, screening, clinical swallowing examination, and/or instrumental swallowing assessment with considerable variability identified across studies with regard to incidence (range 0.9-100%). Studies were highly heterogeneous with regard to dysphagia assessment practice, risk factors, characteristics, provision of intervention, and outcomes. The current evidence regarding dysphagia following non-traumatic SAH is insufficient to provide best practice guidelines for assessment and management recommendations. Emerging evidence will inform healthcare professionals managing dysphagia in individuals following non-traumatic SAH. Future research with more rigorous study designs will promote evidence-based clinical care standards for this population.

Clinical progression and outcome of individuals with and without swallowing impairment following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage: A retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To establish the clinical profiles of individuals with and without dysphagia following non-traumatic subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), and to further describe the clinical progression and outcome of dysphagia within the acute phase for those individuals with dysphagia.Method: Retrospective chart review of 250 patients consecutively admitted with non-traumatic SAH to a major, tertiary neurosurgery referral centre in Australia over a three-year period. Clinical information associated with usual clinical care was collected for the duration of the acute hospital admission. Characteristics of participants with dysphagia (n = 73/250) were further analysed to evaluate dysphagia progression and recovery.Result: Participants with dysphagia took 10.93 times longer to commence oral intake following admission than those without dysphagia (p < 0.01). Those with dysphagia took approximately 12.86 times longer to reach total oral feeding than those without dysphagia (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between groups for time to SLP referral (p = 0.549) or commencement of supplemental feeding (p = 0.256). Safe management of thin fluids occurred for >50% of participants by weeks 2 and 3 following admission, with 75.34% of participants with dysphagia resuming thin fluids by discharge. Safe management of full diet took slightly longer with 32.88% of participants resuming unmodified diet by week 3. By discharge, only 53.42% of participants resumed a full diet.Conclusion: The clinical progression and recovery of dysphagia within the acute phase following non-traumatic SAH can be protracted for some patients, necessitating ongoing speech-language pathology (SLP) input after discharge. The study findings will enhance SLP assessment processes, management focuses and guide prognostic decision making for this population.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Dysphagia Following Non-traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

The aim of the study is to investigate dysphagia incidence and establish factors which may reliably predict dysphagia risk in individuals presenting with non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). A retrospective chart audit of 250 patients (151 females and 99 males) consecutively admitted with non-traumatic SAH to a major, tertiary neurosurgery referral center in Australia was conducted. Demographics, medical, and surgical information, along with speech-language pathology (SLP) assessment data were collected. Differences between dysphagic and non-dysphagic groups were evaluated using t tests, χ2, and Fisher's exact tests. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to establish factors associated with dysphagia risk. A total of 31.6% of participants were identified with dysphagia during acute inpatient admission based on SLP, medical officer, and/or nursing staff reports. Individuals with dysphagia had significantly (p < 0.01) higher World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) grading scores, were more likely to have an aneurysmal cause, were more likely to have secondary complications such as vasospasm, hydrocephalus, or new ischemia, were older, and had longer intubation and intensive care unit (ICU) periods than those without dysphagia. Dysphagia risk was significantly associated (p < 0.01) with age > 57.5 years, ICU length of stay > 7.5 days, length of intubation > 1.5 days, need for tracheostomy, vasospasm, and new stroke. Dysphagia is highly prevalent following non-traumatic SAH, and significantly associated with a number of factors. Established risk factors will improve current knowledge, promote early identification of dysphagia, and inform SLP referral criteria and management of this patient cohort.