[Dysphagia] policies re: 'take out'

[liza.sanders at cvtc.dmhmrsas.virginia.gov (Sanders, Liza)]

I work in an ICF-MR, and we have developed several policies to cover this.
First, if the outing is planned by our staff, they are expected to follow
the client's texture, medical restrictions, and eating plan.  The foods that
will be served must be approved by the nurse and nutritionist.  Since we
have a team to review nutritional management concerns (SLP, OT, RN and
nutritionist at a minimum), the nurse and nutritionist are in a good
position to be the ones to approve this.  We have even taken individual food
processors out to puree food items, although staff feel that is a hassle.
When a family takes a person out to eat, we advise them of the restrictions,
needs, etc., but what they do off our grounds cannot be controlled.  If
families bring in food, we encourage them to bring in types of food that the
person can eat.  They know that we cannot provide food for them that goes
against their physician-ordered diet, so if they leave the food with us and
it is not appropriate, the individual won't get it.  (In our environment,
food cannot be left with the client.) Our dietary department worked up some
information sheets on various diets and textures with examples of
appropriate foods-including snack foods-for each diet/texture.  We have
worked with families to educate them, and, while not always successful, it
has helped quite a bit.  

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Clarke-Goertz, Kim (PAPHR) [mailto:kgoertz@paphr.sk.ca] 
Sent:	Tuesday, November 09, 2004 12:12 PM
To:	'dysphagia@b9.com'
Subject:	[Dysphagia] policies re: 'take out'

Hi All,
I am involved with the dietary department in a local long-term care facility
who is wanting to put in place a 'policy' re: dysphagic residents who
occasionally participate in recreational outings with RT staff/family and/or
whose families bring in food that would not be found on their
typical/dysphagia diet.  The dietician and several of the kitchen staff are
concerned re: the possible consequences.

My question to the group is: do any/many of you out there have similar
policies that affect the types of foods brought in or the limitation of
outings (or ingestion of food on outings) for dysphagic folks?

I hope to hear from as many people as possible re: this issue.  I'd
especially like to know if anyone has been a part of the policy-making or if
such policies are even useful.

Thanks,
Kim/SLP



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