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CompletedNCT03700853

Validation and Reliability Testing of Dysphagia Trained Nurse Assessment

Validity And Reliability Of A Dysphagia Trained Nurse Assessment (DTNAx) Tool In Acute Stroke

Status
Completed
Phase
Study type
Observational
Enrollment
47 (actual)
Sponsor
University of Nottingham · Academic / Other
Sex
All
Age
18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted

Summary

Nurses at Royal Derby Hospital, UK have been trained to use a comprehensive protocol based dysphagia assessment (Dysphagia Trained Nurse Assessment (DTNAx)) to assess all acute stroke patients on admission. This study aims to validate the tool by comparing it to the gold standard assessment - Videofluoroscopy and usual assessment by a Speech and Language Therapist. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability will also be tested by comparing the assessment results of two different nurses or the same nurse.

Detailed description

Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) at Royal Derby Hospital (RDH) have developed a tool that trained nurses can use to carry out swallowing assessments with patients following a stroke. It consists of checks to ensure the patient is alert/well enough, checks any abnormalities in the muscles of the mouth or throat and trials different types of foods/drinks. If they 'pass' the assessment patients are started with regular diet and fluids. If they have dysphagia the nurses can recommend modified foods/drinks if they have found to be safe during the assessment. If the patients 'fail' with all trials - they remain nil by mouth. Around 50% of patients who have a stroke have difficulties swallowing (dysphagia). If dysphagia is identified early it reduces secondary complications such as pneumonia. There are no similar tools in the UK that have been tested to check they are doing what they say they are doing (validity) or the results are the same no matter which trained nurse uses the tool (reliability). This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Dysphagia Trained Nurse Assessment DTNAx that is currently used in the acute stroke pathway at RDH. Over an 18 month period we aim to recruit 50 patients admitted to RDH with a new stroke and who have had an initial DTNAx. The results of the DTNAx will be compared to the gold standard dysphagia assessment - videofluoroscopy - a video xray of swallowing and also compared to the usual SLT assessment. We can calculate whether the tool identifies dysphagia and whether the recommendations made by using the tool are accurate and safe. To test reliability - the DTNAx will be repeated by the same nurse or by a different nurse. The patients will be involved in the study for approximately 24 hours.

Conditions

Interventions

TypeNameDescription
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTDysphagia Trained Nurse Assessment (DTNAx)Bedside swallowing assessment carried out by trained nurses

Timeline

Start date
2017-12-01
Primary completion
2020-03-31
Completion
2020-03-31
First posted
2018-10-09
Last updated
2020-10-29

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov record NCT03700853. Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement.