RECRUITING

Investigation of a Free Water Protocol

Description

Hypothesis: Use of a Free Water Protocol (FWP) will improve patient satisfaction scores (Dysphagia Handicap Index), will not increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis, and will result in improved oral hygiene (as assessed by the Oral Assessment Guide). Aim: To demonstrate that improvement in patient satisfaction and quality of life scores outweighs the potential risks of aspiration of plain water in an acute care setting; to qualitatively assess the implementation of a Free Water Protocol from the viewpoints of the patient and family/caregivers; to quantify changes in oral hygiene practices for individuals on the Free Water Protocol.

Conditions

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Talk to us

Related Conditions:

Oropharyngeal Dysphagia

Study Overview

On this page

Study Details

Study overview

Hypothesis: Use of a Free Water Protocol (FWP) will improve patient satisfaction scores (Dysphagia Handicap Index), will not increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis, and will result in improved oral hygiene (as assessed by the Oral Assessment Guide). Aim: To demonstrate that improvement in patient satisfaction and quality of life scores outweighs the potential risks of aspiration of plain water in an acute care setting; to qualitatively assess the implementation of a Free Water Protocol from the viewpoints of the patient and family/caregivers; to quantify changes in oral hygiene practices for individuals on the Free Water Protocol.

Investigation of a Free Water Protocol

Investigation of a Free Water Protocol

Condition
Oropharyngeal Dysphagia
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Loveland

Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, Colorado, United States, 80538

Loveland

Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, Colorado, United States, 80538

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Stroke diagnosis or trauma patients being cared for by Trauma \& Acute Care Surgery (TACS) providers
  • * Current orders for restricted or thickened liquids
  • * Ability to control their own airway (i.e. airway adjuncts not needed)
  • * Individuals who are medically fragile, as determined by treating physician, to include diagnosis of sepsis, need for vasopressors, or high oxygenation needs (requiring high-flow nasal cannula, Airvo, or oximask)
  • * Individuals who refuse oral care, have any decayed teeth or dental disease, or have a documented active oral infection
  • * Individuals with an advanced progressive neurological condition, active head/neck cancer, or those who are immunosuppressed
  • * Individuals who are on bed-rest orders
  • * Individuals who are lethargic or sedated
  • * Individuals with suspected pre-hospital aspiration event and/or aspiration pneumonitis
  • * Individuals with a fever of unknown origin
  • * Individuals with a history of recurrent aspiration pneumonia/pneumonitis
  • * Individuals whose primary language is one that the questionnaires are not available in a validated format

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Collaborators and Investigators

Poudre Valley Health System,

Study Record Dates

2028-01-01