Support Dysphagia Diet Standardization
by Karen Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S of SwallowStudy.com ~ Updated 2024
Overview:
Back in 2014, on social media, in lectures and in blogs, I was repeating: A global consensus on dysphagia diets, based on evidence, is coming soon. The International Dysphagia Diet Standarisation Initiative (www.IDDSI.org) was then published in 2016. As of 2024, IDDSI is still needing all of us around the world to continue to “spread the word.”
I think it is very appropriate that I wrote this blog in Boston, inspired by Boston’s revolutionary past. About 265 to 255 years ago (1750-1760’s) in Boston, people started rallying around the concept of “No taxation without representation.” This dysphagia diet standardization initiative took a revolution. Fortunately, it is an ongoing beautiful effort of well over 50 countries around the world collaborating and reaching consensus, rather than fighting.
The field of dysphagia pushed for a much needed global perspective. (This global push is also evident in the work of the Dysphagia Research Society, who has had consistently over 20 countries represented their annual meetings!)
In order to completely change the way we provide dysphagia diets and to make sure our institutions are adopting this standardization, we need to think: “No diet modification without standardization!” It is a crucial patient safety issue that we all need to rally behind. For further background on the importance of this issue, please see my previous blog (“Diet Safety: Terminology & Definitions Matter”).
We can thank the following global revolutionaries from the International Dysphagia Diet Standarisation Initiative (www.IDDSI.org):
Original Co-Chairs: Peter Lam (Dietitian, Canada) & Julie Cichero (SLP, Australia);
Original Committee Members: Jianshe Chen (Food Scientist, China), Roberto Dantas (Physician, Brazil), Janice Duivestein (Occupational Therapist, Canada), Ben Hanson (Engineer with significant research on thickened liquids, UK), Jun Kayashita (Dietitian, Japan), Caroline Lecko (Nurse, UK), Joe Murray (SLP, USA), Mershen Pillay (SLP, South Africa), Soenke Stanschus (SLT, aka, SLP, Germany), Catriona Steele (SLP, Canada).
It is now time to thank them for their work. We also trust in the expertise of the IDDSI Global board, who manage and edit the living document that is The IDDSI Framework. They have guided our field to a new era in standardization. Go to www.IDDSI.org and follow them on Twitter: @IDDSI_org and #IDDSI. Sign-up on IDDSI’s mailing list to get the latest updates.
Helpful Links From IDDSI:
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- Click Here for The IDDSI Framework in over 35 languages. You can see how IDDSI had to select labels that are easily translatable and free from cultural bias. No more “Nectar” and “Honey,” which are NOT widely used outside of America. That webpage shows the translations underway all the time.
- Click Here to learn about IDDSI Testing Methods.
Thank you in advance for spreading the word on this revolution. It will take a global village.
Again, for further background on the importance of standardized dysphagia diets: please see my previous blog (“Diet Safety: Terminology & Definitions Matter”).
I am a professor, registered dietitian and president of our local dietetics practice chapter. We would love to provide a CEU / workshop opportunity for RDs and SLPs in the area and at the state or even national dietetics organization level to learn about the new IDDSI and how to implement it in the health care facility. If you have suggestions please contact me.
Please see Dr Catriona Steele’s free 30 minute summary on IDDSI at this link:
https://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?recipient_id=1118630897&message_id=13872562&user_id=ASHA_1&group_id=3982958&jobid=36245404
However, the course is for ASHA members (SLPs) and is free only until Feb 28th. Not sure if non-ASHA members can find this and purchase it. Let me know what it shows for you.
What state are you in? You could also contact IDDSI directly on their website (www.IDDSI.org). I will also check with IDDSI on their plans for further workshop presentations.
We are starting to implement IDDSI at my hospital. We all will have more info and tips as the first hospitals around the world are working through implementation. I will be interviewing some of these hospitals and writing more soon.
Thanks for your interest,
Karen