Quick Response Yields Policy Change

Abstract

You have accessThe ASHA LeaderASHA News1 Oct 2010Quick Response Yields Policy ChangeClinicians in Virginia Collaborate to Reverse Endoscopy Restrictions Janice Brannon Janice Brannon Google Scholar More articles by this author https://doi.org/10.1044/leader.AN5.15122010.1 SectionsAbout ToolsAdd to favorites ShareFacebookTwitterLinked In Thanks to some immediate action by ASHA members, a new policy limiting Virginia speech-language pathologists’ ability to perform fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was quickly overturned. SLPs at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredricksburg, Va., noted an action in the posted minutes of the June 3, 2010, meeting of the Virginia Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology: A motion had been made and passed that created a FEES policy that stated “a speech-language pathologist cannot perform FEES unless properly trained and in the presence of a physician.” The concerned ASHA members raised the issue with representatives of ASHA and the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV). They were alarmed about the requirement to have a physician in the room every time an SLP performed a swallowing evaluation. According to ASHA policy documents, endoscopic procedures are part of the scope of practice for appropriately trained and experienced SLPs and may be performed independently without compromising patient safety. ASHA, SHAV, and many concerned members worked together to call on the Virginia Board to hold public hearings and to revise this policy. The Board, under mounting pressure, agreed to hold a special Aug. 11 meeting. The groups collaborated to provide public testimony and written comments that clearly and decisively established evidence of the safe, independent performance of endoscopy by trained SLPs. The Virginia Board agreed with the evidence and immediately passed a new motion to revise the guidance document, which now states: “It is the opinion of the Board of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology that a speech-language pathologist (SLP), who is specially trained, may perform FEES pursuant to a physician order and under the general supervision [no clarification given] of a physician provided there are protocols in place for emergency response.” Fast action, collaboration, and strong evidence generated a successful outcome for Virginia SLPs. Author Notes Janice Brannon, director of state special initiatives, can be reached at [email protected]. Advertising Disclaimer | Advertise With Us Advertising Disclaimer | Advertise With Us Additional Resources FiguresSourcesRelatedDetails Volume 15Issue 12October 2010 Get Permissions Add to your Mendeley library History Published in print: Oct 1, 2010 Metrics Downloaded 51 times Topicsasha-topicsleader_do_tagleader-topicsasha-article-typesCopyright & Permissions© 2010 American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationLoading ...