The quality of the management of dysphagia in the neurology in patient clinic (HC-Unicamp): a retrospective study of the resident's activity in speech-language pathology

Abstract

The present research intends to highlight the importance of a qualified professional, such as the speech-language pathologist, within the multidisciplinary team, to manage cases of dysphagia in a public hospital. Objective: to evaluate and compare the quality of management of dysphagia in Inpatient Clinic at HC-Unicamp's, during the period with and without the qualified professional, the speech-language pathologist. Method: a retrospective cohort study will be performed. Data collection of the medical records of patients who attended the Neurology Inpatient clinic at HC-Unicamp between August and January 2013 (period without the speech language pathologist in a multidisciplinary team) and August to January 2014 (period with the speech language pathologist in a multidisciplinary team). Adults and elderly adults in Inpatient clinic referred for swallowing screening due to the complaint or diagnosis of some condition that presents a risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia will be included. Data Analysis: Clinical data will be collected from the medical records. Personal information will not be used and disclosed in the study, but it is important to characterize the case. The confidentiality and anonymity of the information extracted from the medical records will be maintained. Analysis of the medical records according to the patient's complaint will included: diagnosis of the disease (according to ICD), hospitalization, infection / pneumonia events (pre- or post-hospitalization), number of evaluations and speech-language pathology, time to evaluate deglutition, time of introduction of the feeding tube, time to reintroduce oral feeding, presence or not of bronchoaspiration and use of feeding tube. Subsequently, the analysis will compare the information between the years 2013 and 2014. Expected results: The scientific results expected to be obtained with the research is the confirmation of the importance of the speech-language pathologist inserted in the multidisciplinary team of large hospitals, to act, prevent and treat cases of dysphagia, contributing to reduce risks of broncoaspiration. In addition, it is expected to evidence the speech-language pathologist as a qualified professional to reduce the risks of dysphagia and the length of hospitalization of patients in the hospital, with consequent reduction of hospital costs. (AU)