[Dysphagia] standardized diets

[mary.joan.mcclure at ncmail.net (Mary Joan McClure)]

Does the facility at which you work use any kind of widely
recognized, "standardized" manual for preparing diets for people with
dysphagia?  If so, what is it (e.g., National Dysphagia Diet, Maryland's
or South Carolina's Diet Manuals for Long Term Care Facilities)?  Do you
use the recommended names of the diet levels, or just the preparation
guidelines while assigning your own names?  Also, if you have time,
please address how/why the facility decided to use that particular
protocol.

We're evaluating procedures at our facility and are trying to decide
which manuals we will review.  Your responses will be shared with a
"task force" made up of SLPs, OTs, dietitians, nurses, and other
professionals.  Thank you very much for your help.

Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Director of Speech, Language & Hearing Services
Murdoch Center