Karima Collins

Speech & language therapist; Clinical Lead @ImperialNHS; #Stroke; #Aphasia; QI enthusiast; Every patient matters; Views my own.

[Imperial People 💙 @ImperialPeople]

This national framework provides a common terminology to describe food textures and drink thickness.

It is person-centred and can be used across all age ranges and cultures.

It is key to improving safety for patients with swallowing difficulties ⬇️

#SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

📢 Key takeaways

Patients – tell us if you have any difficulties with swallowing. Our teams can support you.

Visitors – tell us if you want to bring in food or drinks to a patient you are visiting. We will let you know what is suitable ➡️ https://t.co/cKt31721ic

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[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Thank you to all our staff caring for patients with swallowing difficulties - it takes a TEAM! @joeflatt3005 @Eileenwalshe2 @davies_tarni @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Thank you for following Betty’s story today.

Betty went on to spend a few weeks on our rehabilitation unit and her swallowing fully recovered.

To find out more, visit ➡️ https://t.co/NpKhLMLpVM

#SwallowAware2024 [1/2]

[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Meet Edna the wonderful ward host who keeps patients safe @joeflatt3005 @Eileenwalshe2 @davies_tarni @Shonamaxwell8 @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @didib77 @Annette_RD

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Edna is Betty's ward host. When she takes the snacks and drinks trolley round, she checks the ‘Diet Status Sheet’ and the green swallowing guidelines sign above Betty’s bed.

This is how Edna knows that it wouldn’t be safe to offer Betty plain tea or coffee.

#SwallowAware2024

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Jonathan also ensures that one of the healthcare support workers is available to help Betty when she eats and drinks, and to remind her to use her personalised safe swallowing strategies.

#SwallowAware2024

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[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Meet nurse in charge Jonathan on Betty’s ward

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

The nurse in charge updates the ‘Diet Status Sheet’ each day, including any special swallowing recommendations made by the speech and language therapist for Betty.

He also talks to the ward host each morning to ensure the correct food and drink is ordered from catering.

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[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Georgina and Dr Fayez agree that Betty shouldn’t eat and drink until she is assessed by a specialist, so they refer her to the speech and language therapy team.

Betty agrees to Georgina putting in a short-term feeding tube so that she can receive liquid food and drink.

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[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Meet nurse Georgina @joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Nurse Georgina checks Betty’s swallowing safety by asking whether Betty had any difficulties at home, then continues through the next steps of the screening tool.

Betty turns out to be at risk of things ‘going down the wrong way’, known as aspiration.

#SwallowAware2024 [1/2]

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Dr Fayez asks his nursing colleague to complete a swallow screen before giving Betty anything to eat or drink.

The doctor makes a note to speak to the pharmacist so that Betty can be given her medications in the right way.

#SwallowAware2024 [2/2]

[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Meet Dr Fayez @joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Meet Dr Fayez 👋

They see Betty first and spot that she appears drowsy and has a pre-existing lung condition which already affects her breathing.

Dr Fayez suspects that Betty may not be able to swallow safely.

#SwallowAware2024 [1/2]

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Betty's fall disrupted the muscles which are responsible for stopping things ‘going down the wrong way’ into her lungs when she eats and drinks.

Stay tuned to discover how our staff came together to care for Betty.

#SwallowAware2024

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[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Follow Betty’s swallowing story @joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @gemmaclunie @MarianneMcGrath

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

How do we treat patients with swallowing difficulties?

*Betty* is 76 years old. She came to us after tripping and hitting her head.

Betty isn't real, but we treat patients like Betty every day in our hospitals.

#SwallowAware2024

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[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Be sure to seek advice from your speech and language therapist when considering the use of thickened fluids for drinking or swallowing difficulties.

@ImperialNHS, our staff are here to help you make informed decisions when caring for loved ones.

#SwallowAware2024 [2/2]

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

What can help patients with swallowing difficulties?

- Exercises to improve the timing, strength and coordination muscles used to swallow
- Making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
- Using special spoons, plates and cups

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[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Some common symptoms of swallowing difficulties @joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie @Annette_RD

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Below are common symptoms of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties 🍽️🥤

- Food getting stuck in the throat
- Changes in voice, including nasal or ‘wet’ speech
- Difficulty chewing or controlling food or fluids
- Coughing or choking when swallowing

#SwallowAware2024

[Karima Collins @KCollinsSLT]

Swallowing awareness day 👀👇@joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, also known as #dysphagia, can affect a person’s quality of life and can lead to other health complications.

This Swallowing Awareness Day, we will share how our staff support patients with swallowing difficulties.

#SwallowAware2024

[Gillian Rudd @GillianRudd]

There's now 5,844 signatures on @MikeysWish_VDA's #InvestInSLT petition. 58% of the way to a Government response! 🎉 And we're still on the petitions homepage, alongside the #YesToDignity #AssistedDying petition. Can we reach 6,000 this evening? 🤞🏿🤞🤞🏾
https://t.co/QWStDj1gph

[Imperial NHS 💙 @ImperialNHS]

Join us!

Tomorrow is Swallowing Awareness Day – tune into @ImperialNHS for a special takeover with our Speech and Language Therapy teams.

We will showcase how our staff support patients with swallowing difficulties.

#SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek @RCSLT @NHWeek

[Annette Rugyendo RD @Annette_RD]

The Diet Status Sheet is central to keeping patients safe at mealtimes because it is how clinical teams communicate with the ward host and ensure patients receive the correct nutrition support for their recovery.

#NHWeek2024 @BDA_Dietitians @ImperialPeople @BDA_FoodServ

[Annette Rugyendo RD @Annette_RD]

Our Nutrition & Hydration at Mealtimes Policy sets out how we keep patients safe while eating and drinking, this involves managing food allergies and swallowing difficulties.

#NHWeek2024 #foodallergy #dysphagia @BDA_Dietitians @ImperialPeople @BDA_FoodServ