Development of a Web-Based Course to Maintain Skills in Nurses Trained to Screen for Dysphagia

Stroke Clinical Trial

Official title:

Development of a Web-Based Course to Maintain Skills in Nurses Trained to Screen for Dysphagia

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00570557
• Other study ID #: 06354
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: December 7, 2007
• Last updated: January 9, 2012
• Start date: September 2007
• Est. completion date: June 2011

Study information

• Verified date: January 2012
• Source: University Health Network, Toronto
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Canada: Ministry of Health & Long Term Care, Ontario
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This research aims to facilitate the successful implementation of the new Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario dysphagia screening model for acute stroke patients. The objectives will be 1) to determine the natural history of dysphagia screening skill decay, and 2) to assess the benefit of independent web-based practice and periodic feedback on screening skill maintenance. We will enrol a convenience sample of nurses who currently work with stroke patients but who have had no prior formal training with dysphagia screening.

The study will consist of 2 phases: A) an initial pilot phase followed by B) a prospective randomized controlled study. During Phase A, three new web-based, self-instructed skill refresher courses will be developed to help nurses maintain the skills they will learn in an 8-hour workshop on dysphagia screening. During Phase B, nurses will receive the 8-hour workshop and one-on-one evaluation by a speech-language pathologist (SLP). Following training, competent screeners will be randomized into one of two groups: Group A - Control group with no refresher course or periodic feedback from SLP; Group B - Web-based skill refresher courses only. Nurses will be evaluated at several timepoints throughout Phase B to assess theoretical dysphagia screening knowledge and skills.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 96
• Est. completion date: June 2011
• Est. primary completion date: June 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nurses who care for acute stroke patients

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Deglutition Disorders
• Dysphagia
• Stroke

Intervention

Other:
• TOR-BSST© Refresher Training
Web-based refresher training in dysphagia screening

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Canada	Foothills Hospital	Calgary	Alberta
Canada	Alberta Health Services - Capital Health (University of Alberta Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital)	Edmonton	Alberta
Canada	Georgian Bay General Hospital	Penetanguishene/Midland	Ontario
Canada	University Health Network - Toronto Western Hospital	Toronto	Ontario
United States	Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital	Binghamton	New York

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University Health Network, Toronto	Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Countries where clinical trial is conducted

United States,  Canada, 

References & Publications (3)

Martino R, Foley N, Bhogal S, Diamant N, Speechley M, Teasell R. Dysphagia after stroke: incidence, diagnosis, and pulmonary complications. Stroke. 2005 Dec;36(12):2756-63. Epub 2005 Nov 3. Review. — View Citation

Martino R, Pron G, Diamant N. Screening for oropharyngeal dysphagia in stroke: insufficient evidence for guidelines. Dysphagia. 2000 Winter;15(1):19-30. — View Citation

Martino R, Silver F, Teasell R, Bayley M, Nicholson G, Streiner DL, Diamant NE. The Toronto Bedside Swallowing Screening Test (TOR-BSST): development and validation of a dysphagia screening tool for patients with stroke. Stroke. 2009 Feb;40(2):555-61. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.107.510370. Epub 2008 Dec 12. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Skill decay over time among nurses trained to use the TOR-BSST© to screen for dysphagia in stroke patients		1 year	No

External Links

•   Swallowing Lab Website