Marnie Seabrook1, Maria Schwarz1,2, Elizabeth C Ward2,3, Bernard Whitfield4. 1. a Speech Pathology and Audiology Department , Logan Hospital , Meadowbrook , Australia. 2. b School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , The University of Queensland , Brisbane , Australia. 3. c Centre for Functioning and Health Research , Queensland Health , Brisbane , Australia , and. 4. d Integrated Specialist ENT Service, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery , Logan Hospital , Meadowbrook , Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Extended scope of practice roles can address health service challenges and enhance patient services; however there has been limited research of extended scope roles in the discipline of speech-language pathology (SLP). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes and service impacts of a Speech-Language Pathology Allied Health Practitioner (SLP AHP) led dysphagia and dysphonia service within an Integrated Specialist Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Service. METHOD: Low risk referrals were triaged by ENT from the waiting list into the SLP AHP dysphagia and dysphonia clinic. Outcomes from an initial 6-month pilot phase (n = 43) and 6-month implementation phase (n = 158) were evaluated. RESULT: Approximately 70% of patients managed in the SLP AHP clinic in both phases were discharged without requiring separate ENT appointments. There were no adverse events. In the pilot phase, only 4.3% of medium priority and 10% of low priority referrals were seen within clinically recommended time frames. This improved to 90% in the final three months of the implementation phase. CONCLUSION: With appropriate governance and risk management, an extended scope SLP AHP service for low risk dysphagia and dysphonia can achieve safe, effective and beneficial changes to ENT service delivery.
PURPOSE: Extended scope of practice roles can address health service challenges and enhance patient services; however there has been limited research of extended scope roles in the discipline of speech-language pathology (SLP). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes and service impacts of a Speech-Language Pathology Allied Health Practitioner (SLP AHP) led dysphagia and dysphonia service within an Integrated Specialist Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) Service. METHOD: Low risk referrals were triaged by ENT from the waiting list into the SLP AHP dysphagia and dysphonia clinic. Outcomes from an initial 6-month pilot phase (n = 43) and 6-month implementation phase (n = 158) were evaluated. RESULT: Approximately 70% of patients managed in the SLP AHP clinic in both phases were discharged without requiring separate ENT appointments. There were no adverse events. In the pilot phase, only 4.3% of medium priority and 10% of low priority referrals were seen within clinically recommended time frames. This improved to 90% in the final three months of the implementation phase. CONCLUSION: With appropriate governance and risk management, an extended scope SLP AHP service for low risk dysphagia and dysphonia can achieve safe, effective and beneficial changes to ENT service delivery.
Entities:
Keywords:
ENT service; Extended scope of practice; dysphagia; dysphonia; speech-language pathology
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