What can Speech and Language Therapists offer in Intensive Care Units (ICU)?
Patients in ICU may require ventilators, meaning they are sedated. At this point Speech and Language Therapy input would not be required. However, if the patient is awake SLT’s are able to support consent on decisions regarding their care using alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) and also assess communication and swallowing abilities.
And after ICU?
Step down beds provide an intermediate level of care for patients who no longer require intensive care, but are not yet ready to be discharged home.
If a patient is moving from intensive care to a step down bed, SLT’s skills can help support communication, swallowing and airway management.
Communication
- SLTs can contribute to capacity assessments. They can also provide communication support to facilitate other medical issues and decisions such as discharge destination.
- SLTs can help develop communication strategies to enable decision making and involve patients in care planning.
Swallowing
- SLTs carry out swallowing assessments and make recommendations accordingly.
- SLTs also assess the possibility of voice problems secondary to intubation.
Review the information leaflets below for more specific information regarding swallowing and voice difficulties following intubation and tracheostomy.
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