Unlocking the Power of S-LP Medical Directives: Improving Accuracy and Timeliness in Diet Orders

In the realm of Speech-Language Pathology (S-LP), ensuring timely and accurate diet texture orders is critical, particularly in acute care settings. A recent study published in the Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology sheds light on the significant benefits of implementing a medical directive for S-LPs to manage diet textures. This blog explores the study's findings and offers actionable insights for practitioners aiming to enhance their clinical practice.

The Study at a Glance

The study, titled Speech-Language Pathology Diet Texture Medical Directive: Impact on Accuracy and Timeliness of Diet Order Entry, evaluated the use, safety, and timeliness of a medical directive allowing S-LPs to order, modify, and discontinue diet textures in an acute care inpatient setting. The researchers reviewed 1,574 patient charts over three years: one year prior to implementation (2008), the month of implementation (2009), and one year post-implementation (2010).

Key Findings

• High Utilization: One year post-implementation, the use of the medical directive was exceptionally high at 98.2%.
• Improved Accuracy: The number of diet texture orders correctly entered on the first attempt increased from 80.6% at baseline to 89.5% one year post-implementation.
• Enhanced Timeliness: The average time to enter diet orders was reduced by 4.6 hours post-implementation.
• Positive S-LP Perceptions: S-LP ratings for timeliness, time consumption, and error rate were, on average, 61.7% more positive post-implementation.

Implementing the Findings

For practitioners, the study's outcomes provide a compelling case for adopting a medical directive in managing diet textures. Here are some steps to consider:

1. Develop a Medical Directive: Collaborate with your healthcare team to draft a medical directive that outlines the criteria and procedures for diet texture modifications.
2. Educate and Train: Ensure that all S-LPs undergo comprehensive training on the new directive, including annual refreshers to maintain competency.
3. Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor the accuracy and timeliness of diet orders and gather feedback from the interprofessional team to identify areas for improvement.
4. Foster Collaboration: Work closely with dietitians, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure a seamless implementation process.

Encouraging Further Research

While the study presents promising results, further research is essential to optimize the use of medical directives in S-LP practice. Future studies could focus on:

• Evaluating the long-term impact on patient outcomes, including nutritional status and satisfaction.
• Investigating the effectiveness of incorporating therapeutic diet orders into S-LP referrals.
• Exploring the potential for expanding the scope of medical directives to include other aspects of S-LP practice.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Speech-Language Pathology Diet Texture Medical Directive: Impact on Accuracy and Timeliness of Diet Order Entry.