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A Free Water Protocol in Inpatient Rehabilitation: Feasibility and Care Outcomes

  • Korean Journal of Occupational Therapy
  • Abbr : Korean J of Occup Ther
  • 2020, 28(2), pp.157-164
  • DOI : 10.14519/kjot.2020.28.2.12
  • Publisher : Korean Society Of Occupational Therapy
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Working Therapeutics
  • Received : January 31, 2020
  • Accepted : March 11, 2020
  • Published : June 30, 2020

Stephanie Scibilia 1 A.M. Barrett 2 Christina Piscopo 3 Uri Adler 3 Ickpyo Hong ORD ID 4 Kimberly Hreha 5

1Massachusetts General Hospital
2Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
3Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
4연세대학교
5University of Texas Medical Branch

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Free Water Protocols (FWPs) are implemented selectively because of mixed evidence on the benefitsassociated with their use. This retrospective study examines the implementation a long-standing clinicalprogram and descriptively reports rehabilitation and quality care outcomes. Methods: Data were collected over 6 years (n = 575). Inpatient rehabilitation setting. Variables included in thisstudy were age, medical diagnoses, rate of acute care hospital transfers, discharge destinations, length of timeon FWP. Results: Cohort consisted of older adults (M = 68.43, SD = 15.11), with diagnosis of stroke (60.2%), brain injury(19.1%), spinal cord injury (7.3%), cardiac (1%), orthopedics (5%), other (13.1%). Acute care hospital transfersoccurred in 6% as descriptively compared to national average (14%). Additionally, participants tolerated FWP fordays (M = 14.1, SD = 14.4) and most went home following rehabilitationDiscussion: This retrospective study concludes the feasibility of implementing a FWP in a rehabilitation facility andreports descriptive outcomes. Experimental research is required for conclusions to be made regardingeffectiveness of the FWP for dysphagia.

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