Miss Chaerim Kim1, Dr Emma Finch1, Dr Kylie Ferguson2, Natasha Vaughan3, Belinda Barrie1
1Queensland Health, Ipswich, Australia, 2Queensland Health, Boonah, Australia, 3Queensland Health, Esk, Australia
Biography:
Chaerim Kim is a Senior Speech Pathologist at Ipswich Hospital with experience across private and public healthcare sectors. She has completed knowledge translation in healthcare course, focusing on integrating evidence-based practices into clinical settings. As an early career researcher, Chaerim has been completing her first research project, and is dedicated to improving service access and patient care. She strives to bridge gaps in speech pathology services through the implementation of translational research.
Abstract:
Background:
Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulties, can lead to aspiration pneumonia, resulting in increased adverse outcomes, length of stay and healthcare burden. Aspiration pneumonia is considered an avoidable hospital readmission with improved clinical management. In April 2015, the West Moreton Health Speech Pathology department implemented a telepractice dysphagia service model to improve service access and clinical management across four rural hospitals within the health service. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and safety of the telepractice dysphagia service model and explore the types of service being provided via telepractice.
Method:
Utilising a retrospective chart audit over a 9-year time frame, data were extracted manually, including demographic, medical admission information, referral information, service provided, assessment outcomes, re-referral data and readmission for dysphagia-related complications; and RiskMan data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation analyses.
Results:
Between 2015 and 2024, 216 rural hospital patients utilised the telepractice dysphagia service. Preliminary data analysis (To be completed by June 2025) indicated that first patient contact occurred within 24-hours of referral. Service provision included telepractice, phone calls, emails and limited face-to-face contact. Frequency of service provision varied between one to six contacts.
Discussion:
The findings will inform the optimisation of the current telepractice dysphagia service model, drive modifications to West Moreton Health’s rural allied health procedures and contribute to the refinement of other telepractice care models. Additionally, results are highly relevant for other health services seeking to implement a telehealth allied health service to rural facilities.