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

Successful Completion

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

Accreditation

The 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 1.00 contact hours.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

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

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.