A Decision Guide for Assessing the Recently Extubated Patient’s Readiness for Safe Oral Intake

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

A review of the literature was conducted to determine potential risk factors for dysphagia following extubation and developed a guide based on a number of those factors or indicators as referred to in this article. Implementation of a guide on a medical intensive care unit (MICU) was completed including tracking of the utilization rate as well as the number of referrals to speech-language pathology (SLP) for swallowing assessment. The guide was used successfully because there was a reduction in potentially unnecessary referrals for SLP assessment during the project study period. Utilization of the guide improved efficiency and clarity in decision making on this MICU and this practice could be implemented in other units.

Objectives

Describe health risk factors associated with extubation and dysphagia.
Identify key indicators for when patients should be referred to speech-language pathology (SLP) for post-extubation swallowing assessment.
Describe how to use a post-extubation swallowing decision guide in a medical intensive care unit.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Criteria for Awarding Contact Hours

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for {contactHours} contact hours.

Disclosures

The Nurse Planner has determined that no individuals with the ability to control content of this activity have relevant relationships with ineligible companies.

Activities with pharmacotherapeutic credit are to assist the APRN in fulfilling their education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.