Can the regular presence of speech and language therapy (SALT) make a difference to best practice on a neonatal unit?. Issue 5 (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peck, M.; Connolly, A.; Carty, B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neonatal nursing. Volume 25:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 233
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neonatal intensive care -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers en néonatologie -- Périodiques; Infant, Newborn, Diseases -- Periodicals; Intensive Care, Neonatal -- Periodicals; Neonatal Nursing -- Periodicals; 618.9200231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnn.2019.04.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-1841

Abstract

Abstract: Since 2009 the recommendations for speech and language therapy (SALT) staffing levels on neonatal units specified an 'access to' model, leading to a wide discrepancy in delivery of services across the UK. A comparative quality improvement project (QIP) was delivered in 2017–2018 to determine if regular integrated presence versus historical 'access to' SALT service could influence best practice on a level 2 neonatal unit. Provision of 0.4wte Band 7 SALT to a 18 bed unit over 7 months was agreed. Findings showed a quantifiable increase in referral rates, patterns, and SALT initial assessment response times during QIP. A range of best practice developmental and therapeutic SALT interventions was recorded during QIP, previously not achievable with historical 'access to' model. This QIP could be used to provide evidence of the justified need for regular presence and integrated SALT on a neonatal unit.