Dysphagia Diamond Standards

Dysphagia is the term used to describe eating, drinking or swallowing difficulties. It is common in people who have physical or neurological difficulties and can affect the mouth, throat, oesophagus (gut) or all three. There can be many serious consequences of having dysphagia. These can include coughing and distress when eating or drinking, choking, recurrent chest infections, aspiration pneumonia, weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, social isolation and distress.

Aims and Objectives

• People with dysphagia will be fully supported to optimise safe and enjoyable intake of food, fluids and medication before consideration of non-oral supplementation/intake.
• People with dysphagia will have less dysphagia related chest infections and admissions to hospital with dysphagia related aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, constipation.
• Less people with learning disabilities will suffer/die from choking or as a result of poor management.
• People with dysphagia will be supported by confident and competent families and professional carers.
• Service providers will work collaboratively when developing support plans, and family members will be a key part of this.
• There will be effective systems for linking those who have a role to play in assessing/supporting dysphagia and/or whose input may impact on someone’s swallowing e.g. tertiary services.
• People with dysphagia will have personalised eating and drinking support plans that take into account their preferences and needs, considering environmental factors, how the person is supported, postural support, food/drink texture, equipment, communication, mouthcare.
• People with dysphagia will not be on overly restrictive support plans.
• If medication administration needs changed check with pharmacy and prescriber.