FW: [Dysphagia] Reintroduction of taste

[kgoertz at paphr.sk.ca (Clarke-Goertz, Kim (PAPHR))]

Hi All,
Does anyone out there have a bite block they use/order for oral care that
they would recommend.  The email (below) cites the 'Open Wide Plus' as a
good one to use that is disposable.
I have not used or recommended any to nursing staff to date, but would like
to and have no idea what to order.
If I don't get a response from the group, I'll have my stores dept. go ahead
and order the one cited below.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Kim




-----Original Message-----
From: hillivie423@adelphia.net [mailto:hillivie423@adelphia.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 14:07
To: Tammy.Gadbois@med.va.gov
Cc: dysphagia@b9.com
Subject: Re: [Dysphagia] Reintroduction of taste


 There is a bite block (actually it is called a disposable mouth prop with a
handle) you can use for the oral care problem, first on one side of the
mouth, then on the other as you clean the opposite side.  It is called Open
Wide Plus, and is available from Specialized Care Company, 15 Renee Court,
Edison, NJ 08820-3634, or call 1-800-722-7375.
---- Tammy.Gadbois@med.va.gov wrote: 
> I have a patient with a severe TBI (much worse than Terri Schiavo if
you're
> familiar with her status) who after 14 + years of being sedated with
> Phenobarbital is now weaned off it and is becoming a little more alert.
> During his awake times he is able to indicate yes/no fairly accurately
with
> foot movement or raising a finger.  His family want to give him as much
> stimuli for QOL as they can and they want to know about offering him
tastes.
> He does not effectively manage his own secretions and gets pneumonia about
> 2x/year.  Has been tube fed for the entire 14+ years.  His oral care is
not
> great because he bites down and won't let you in to clean effectively.
Any
> thoughts or suggestions????
> 
> Thanks, Tammy C Gadbois
> Audiologist/Speech Language Pathologist
> VA Medical Center - Tomah, WI
> _______________________________________________
> Dysphagia mailing list
> Dysphagia@b9.com
> http://lists.b9.com/mailman/listinfo/dysphagia

_______________________________________________
Dysphagia mailing list
Dysphagia@b9.com
http://lists.b9.com/mailman/listinfo/dysphagia