Dysphagia is the inability to safely and effectively transport food to the stomach due to structural and/or functional impairment of the lower jaw, lips, tongue, soft palate, larynx, esophagus and other organs. Studies have shown that ENT patients with dysphagia are not only affected by the recovery of their swallowing function, but also prone to different degrees of complications due to the lack of correct guidance and training during hospitalization and after discharge. Our challenge team plans to evaluate swallowing function for ENT patients including acute epiglottitis, OSAHS, after laryngeal cancer surgery and severe facial paralysis, using the EAT-10, Kubota drinking water test, V-VST assessment tools, etc. For those people at high risk, we will do targeted nursing, including the training of oral care, giving propaganda and guidance of preventing aspiration, providing swallowing rehabilitation related health education and continuing care, etc. The expected objectives of our activity include: 1. Satisfy the individual needs of patients. 2. Establish and improve evidence-based nursing of screening and nursing intervention standards for patients with ENT problems. 3. Establish a swallowing disorder management team with interdisciplinary professionals including speech therapists, clinicians, nurses, physiotherapists, radiologists, dietitians, social workers, psychotherapists, family members or caregivers, chefs, etc. 4. Provide leadership and development training for the next generation of nurses, empower them as leaders, practitioners, and advocates in health. As participants of the nightingale challenge, we look forward to embarking on a new journey with colleagues around the world.
20 nurses and midwives have been enrolled in the leadership development programme.
