ABSTRACT
A number of service areas in the United Kingdom have developed nutritional assessment tools for their specific client group, to screen for risk of malnutrition and identify which members of the team the client should be referred to. The aim should be to maintain a client's optimal nutrition and hydration status as detailed in the centre and right-hand columns, irrespective of their swallowing skills. Difficulty swallowing tablets may be a common reason for referral to the speech and language therapy team, necessitating close liaison with the pharmacy department. K. Krawczk and J. Codling suggested the use of stickers for drug charts to alert the medical and pharmacy teams to potential swallowing difficulties. Feeding tubes may benefit clients when they provide time to treat underlying medical problems or to clarify prognosis, or when prolongation of life is feasible and desirable. There are two forms of tube feeding – enteral and parenteral – both of which deliver nutritionally complete liquid feeds.
