HIQA Swallow Assessment & Intervention for Nursing Homes
Your local Speech Centre can ensure that your nursing home is in full compliance with with HIQA swallow assessment and intervention requirements and HIQA communication assessment and intervention standards, ensuring you meet the national quality standards for residential care settings for older people in Ireland (HIQA)
The Speech Centre is fully aware of current government recommendations regarding the standard of care for those in long-term residential units. The Speech and Language Therapy services offered relate to HIQA standards in a number of ways;
HIQA Communication assessment and intervention
HIQA – Section 1: Rights
Standard 1 – Information: Each resident has access to information, in an accessible format, appropriate to his/her individual needs, to assist in decision making. (See criteria 1.2)
Standard 3 – Consent: Each resident’s consent to treatment and care is obtained in accordance with legislation and current best practice guidelines. (See criteria 3.3, 3.4, 3.8)
HIQA – Section 4: Quality of Life
Standard 17 – Autonomy and Independence: Each resident can exercise choice and control over his/her life and is encouraged and enabled to maximise independence in accordance with his/her wishes. (See criteria 17.3, 17.4)
Standard 18 – Routines and Expectations: Each resident has a lifestyle in the residential care setting that is consistent with his/her previous routines, expectations and preferences, and satisfies his/her social, cultural, language, religious, and recreational interests and needs. (See criteria 18.2, 18.9 – Supplementary Criteria for Dementia-specific Residential Care Units for Older People)
Individual HIQA swallow assessment/communication assessment
HIQA – Section 3: Health and Social Care Needs
Standard 10 – Assessment: Each resident has his/her needs assessed prior to moving into the residential care setting, a full assessment upon admission, and subsequently as required to reflect changes in need and circumstances during his/her period in residence. (See criteria 10.3, 10.5)
HIQA – Section 4: Quality of Life Standard 19 – Meals and Mealtimes: Each resident receives a nutritious and varied diet in pleasant surroundings at times convenient to them. (See criteria 19.1, 19.2, 19.4, 19.5)
Individual care plans and recommendations
HIQA – Section 3: Health and Social Care Needs
Standard 11 – The Resident’s Care Plan: The arrangements to meet each resident’s assessed needs are set out in an individual care plan, developed and agreed with each resident, or in the case of a resident with cognitive impairment with his/her representative. (See criteria 11.2, 11.3, 11.6)
Ongoing swallow/communication intervention and review
HIQA – Section 3: Health and Social Care Needs
Standard 13 – Healthcare: Each resident’s assessed health needs are reviewed and met on an ongoing basis in consultation with the resident. (See criteria 13.2)
Staff training and information
HIQA – Section 5: Staffing
Standard 24 – Training and Supervision: Staff receive induction and continued professional development and appropriate supervision. (See criteria 24.3, 24.9 – Supplementary Criteria for Dementia-specific Residential Care Units for Older People)
HIQA – Section 6: The Care Environment
Standard 26 – Health and Safety: The health and safety of the resident, staff and visitor to the residential care setting is promoted and protected. (See criteria 26.3, 26.5)
Specific fees apply for nursing home visits.
Please contact your local Speech Centre for further information