About Us
Dysphagia management within the acute and aged care settings has been a primary focus for Hadgraft Speech Pathology over the last twenty years. Re-admission to Hospital with aspiration pneumonia was a more common occurence at our hospital in the early days. This factor was the motivating force when Hadgraft Speech Pathology first developed the system. The system aims to assist facilities to develop a zero aspiration rate.
We the authors have recognised the need to provide education in an accessible format for both Catering and Care staff. This ensures that all team members are fully informed of the critical importance of safe, predictable swallowing management. This system has been formalised into the HSP Dysphagia Management System, which has undergone four major revisions during its ten year history.
The HSP Dysphagia Management System caters for all learning styles (auditory, visual and discussion based) and works best when the written material is supported by the hands-on seminar and workshop presentations which can be arranged by appointment. The system supports and develops a systems management approach to dysphagia risk management within regional hospitals and aged care facilities.
All the necessary training for both Catering and Care staff can be addressed with this system. It also allows for all the necessary 'documents for display' and 'handouts' to support staff in their care of residents at mealtimes. When residents are to be sent home for short stays, the staff may use the 'handouts' section to support relatives with safe swallowing management.
Continuous education within any facility is necessary to maintain the consistency of knowledge base held by the staff across time and as a result of changes to both resident and staff demographics. The comprehensive Catering and Care staff manuals should be used as a reference tool whilst the Information Booklets, Study Packages and Multimedia Presentations will assist experienced clinical staff to provide and maintain ongoing education across time. The Study Packages in particular can be used as a quality tool for measurement of an individual's knowledge in dysphagia management.
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Important Notice
A conversion is provided to compare the Hadgraft Speech Pathology Texture Modified Diets Scale / Standard Fluid Thickness Levels with the Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids. The conversion can be applied throughout the Manuals, Study Packages and Information Booklets.
Note: Dietitians Association of Australia / Speech Pathology Australia have not yet confirmed recipes for each fluid thickness level, therefore the fluid conversion is a guide only, and correlation between the two scales may not be exact.