The speech pathology workforce in intensive care units: Results from a national survey.

Cardinal, LA; Freeman-Sanderson, A; Togher, L

The speech pathology workforce in intensive care units: Results from a national survey.

Cardinal, LA Freeman-Sanderson, A

Togher, L

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses, 2020, 33, (3), pp. 250-258
Issue Date:: 2020-05-06

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Cardinal, LA
dc.contributor.author	Freeman-Sanderson, A https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2161-6421
dc.contributor.author	Togher, L
dc.date.accessioned	2020-10-08T03:45:08Z
dc.date.available	2020-02-25
dc.date.available	2020-10-08T03:45:08Z
dc.date.issued	2020-05-06
dc.identifier.citation	Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses, 2020, 33, (3), pp. 250-258
dc.identifier.issn	1036-7314
dc.identifier.issn	1878-1721
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143140
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND:Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) with mechanical ventilation can lead to patients experiencing impaired swallowing and communication function. This can negatively affect patient experiences and outcomes. There is increasing research supporting early intervention for swallowing and communication; however, there are no published ICU workforce data to determine patient access. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to describe national ICU access to speech pathology (SP) services and to describe the nature of this workforce. METHODS:Prospective audit of Australian ICUs with a focussed workforce survey of SP service including workforce demographics, clinical practices, team environments, and training was conducted. Data are described as percentage (%, n) and as median (interquartile range). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic frameworks. RESULTS:SP services were available at 99% (n = 165) of the sites; 62 sites provided workforce data (45% response rate). Seventy-one percent of respondents serviced the ICU ≤10 h per week, with 23% reporting dedicated funding. Almost a third (32%) reported not participating in ICU team activities, and more than half of the sites (56%) did not provide ICU-specific training with resulting varied clinical confidence ratings. Facilitator and barriers both highlighted team working relationships. Facilitator themes were building working relationships, understanding the SP role in the multidisciplinary team, physical presence in the unit, and access to resources. Barrier themes were the multidisciplinary team's understanding of SP roles and lack of presence of SP services in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS:SP services are not standard across Australian ICUs, with variations in confidence, funding, training, and team environments. Further research into the impact of these variations on patient outcomes is needed.
dc.format	Print-Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.aucc.2020.02.003
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	1103 Clinical Sciences, 1110 Nursing
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.title	The speech pathology workforce in intensive care units: Results from a national survey.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	33
utslib.location.activity	Australia
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences
utslib.for	1110 Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health/GSH.Speech Pathology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Graduate School of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2020-10-08T03:45:03Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	33
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

BACKGROUND:Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) with mechanical ventilation can lead to patients experiencing impaired swallowing and communication function. This can negatively affect patient experiences and outcomes. There is increasing research supporting early intervention for swallowing and communication; however, there are no published ICU workforce data to determine patient access. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to describe national ICU access to speech pathology (SP) services and to describe the nature of this workforce. METHODS:Prospective audit of Australian ICUs with a focussed workforce survey of SP service including workforce demographics, clinical practices, team environments, and training was conducted. Data are described as percentage (%, n) and as median (interquartile range). Qualitative data were analysed using thematic frameworks. RESULTS:SP services were available at 99% (n = 165) of the sites; 62 sites provided workforce data (45% response rate). Seventy-one percent of respondents serviced the ICU ≤10 h per week, with 23% reporting dedicated funding. Almost a third (32%) reported not participating in ICU team activities, and more than half of the sites (56%) did not provide ICU-specific training with resulting varied clinical confidence ratings. Facilitator and barriers both highlighted team working relationships. Facilitator themes were building working relationships, understanding the SP role in the multidisciplinary team, physical presence in the unit, and access to resources. Barrier themes were the multidisciplinary team's understanding of SP roles and lack of presence of SP services in the ICU. CONCLUSIONS:SP services are not standard across Australian ICUs, with variations in confidence, funding, training, and team environments. Further research into the impact of these variations on patient outcomes is needed.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/143140