Speech & language therapist; Clinical Lead @ImperialNHS; #Stroke; #Aphasia; QI enthusiast; Every patient matters; Views my own.

Joined September 2017
2 Photos and videos
Karima Collins retweeted
This national framework provides a common terminology to describe food textures and drink thickness. It is person-centred and can be used across all age ranges and cultures. It is key to improving safety for patients with swallowing difficulties โฌ‡๏ธ #SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek
The nurse in charge updates the โ€˜Diet Status Sheetโ€™ each day, including any special swallowing recommendations made by the speech and language therapist for Betty. He also talks to the ward host each morning to ensure the correct food and drink is ordered from catering. [1/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
๐Ÿ“ข Key takeaways Patients โ€“ tell us if you have any difficulties with swallowing. Our teams can support you. Visitors โ€“ tell us if you want to bring in food or drinks to a patient you are visiting. We will let you know what is suitable โžก๏ธ imperial.nhs.uk/patients-andโ€ฆ [2/2]

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Thank you to all our staff caring for patients with swallowing difficulties - it takes a TEAM! @joeflatt3005 @Eileenwalshe2 @davies_tarni @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie
Thank you for following Bettyโ€™s story today. Betty went on to spend a few weeks on our rehabilitation unit and her swallowing fully recovered. To find out more, visit โžก๏ธ nhs.uk/conditions/swallowingโ€ฆ #SwallowAware2024 [1/2]
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Meet Edna the wonderful ward host who keeps patients safe @joeflatt3005 @Eileenwalshe2 @davies_tarni @Shonamaxwell8 @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @didib77 @Annette_RD
Edna is Betty's ward host. When she takes the snacks and drinks trolley round, she checks the โ€˜Diet Status Sheetโ€™ and the green swallowing guidelines sign above Bettyโ€™s bed. This is how Edna knows that it wouldnโ€™t be safe to offer Betty plain tea or coffee. #SwallowAware2024
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Karima Collins retweeted
Jonathan also ensures that one of the healthcare support workers is available to help Betty when she eats and drinks, and to remind her to use her personalised safe swallowing strategies. #SwallowAware2024 [2/2]
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Meet nurse in charge Jonathan on Bettyโ€™s ward
The nurse in charge updates the โ€˜Diet Status Sheetโ€™ each day, including any special swallowing recommendations made by the speech and language therapist for Betty. He also talks to the ward host each morning to ensure the correct food and drink is ordered from catering. [1/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
Georgina and Dr Fayez agree that Betty shouldnโ€™t eat and drink until she is assessed by a specialist, so they refer her to the speech and language therapy team. Betty agrees to Georgina putting in a short-term feeding tube so that she can receive liquid food and drink. [2/2]
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Nurse Georgina checks Bettyโ€™s swallowing safety by asking whether Betty had any difficulties at home, then continues through the next steps of the screening tool. Betty turns out to be at risk of things โ€˜going down the wrong wayโ€™, known as aspiration. #SwallowAware2024 [1/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
Dr Fayez asks his nursing colleague to complete a swallow screen before giving Betty anything to eat or drink. The doctor makes a note to speak to the pharmacist so that Betty can be given her medications in the right way. #SwallowAware2024 [2/2]
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Meet Dr Fayez ๐Ÿ‘‹ They see Betty first and spot that she appears drowsy and has a pre-existing lung condition which already affects her breathing. Dr Fayez suspects that Betty may not be able to swallow safely. #SwallowAware2024 [1/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
Betty's fall disrupted the muscles which are responsible for stopping things โ€˜going down the wrong wayโ€™ into her lungs when she eats and drinks. Stay tuned to discover how our staff came together to care for Betty. #SwallowAware2024 [2/2]
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How do we treat patients with swallowing difficulties? *Betty* is 76 years old. She came to us after tripping and hitting her head. Betty isn't real, but we treat patients like Betty every day in our hospitals. #SwallowAware2024 [1/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
Be sure to seek advice from your speech and language therapist when considering the use of thickened fluids for drinking or swallowing difficulties. @ImperialNHS, our staff are here to help you make informed decisions when caring for loved ones. #SwallowAware2024 [2/2]
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Karima Collins retweeted
What can help patients with swallowing difficulties? - Exercises to improve the timing, strength and coordination muscles used to swallow - Making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks - Using special spoons, plates and cups [1/2]
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Some common symptoms of swallowing difficulties @joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie @Annette_RD
Below are common symptoms of eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ๐Ÿฅค - Food getting stuck in the throat - Changes in voice, including nasal or โ€˜wetโ€™ speech - Difficulty chewing or controlling food or fluids - Coughing or choking when swallowing #SwallowAware2024
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Swallowing awareness day ๐Ÿ‘€๐Ÿ‘‡@joeflatt3005 @davies_tarni @Eileenwalshe2 @Shonamaxwell8 @AKinderlerer @FiJBrown @MarianneMcGrath @gemmaclunie
Eating, drinking and swallowing difficulties, also known as #dysphagia, can affect a personโ€™s quality of life and can lead to other health complications. This Swallowing Awareness Day, we will share how our staff support patients with swallowing difficulties. #SwallowAware2024
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Karima Collins retweeted
There's now 5,844 signatures on @MikeysWish_VDA's #InvestInSLT petition. 58% of the way to a Government response! ๐ŸŽ‰ And we're still on the petitions homepage, alongside the #YesToDignity #AssistedDying petition. Can we reach 6,000 this evening? ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿฟ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿคž๐Ÿพ petition.parliament.uk/petitโ€ฆ
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Karima Collins retweeted
Join us! Tomorrow is Swallowing Awareness Day โ€“ tune into @ImperialNHS for a special takeover with our Speech and Language Therapy teams. We will showcase how our staff support patients with swallowing difficulties. #SwallowAware2024 #NHWeek @RCSLT @NHWeek
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Karima Collins retweeted
The Diet Status Sheet is central to keeping patients safe at mealtimes because it is how clinical teams communicate with the ward host and ensure patients receive the correct nutrition support for their recovery. #NHWeek2024 @BDA_Dietitians @ImperialPeople @BDA_FoodServ
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Karima Collins retweeted
Our Nutrition & Hydration at Mealtimes Policy sets out how we keep patients safe while eating and drinking, this involves managing food allergies and swallowing difficulties. #NHWeek2024 #foodallergy #dysphagia @BDA_Dietitians @ImperialPeople @BDA_FoodServ
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