Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Acute and Critical Care Settings

Description

A practical text on the implementation of Augmentative and Alternative Communication/Assistive Technology in hospital venues, AAC/AT in Acute Care Settings, reviews the more traditional use of AAC and expands it into the acute and critical care arenas.

It is a “how to handbook” filled with protocols, realistic solutions for implementation across hospital units and rich case examples that provide validation of the efficacy of AAC with the acute care population. This text is an ideal resource for speech-language pathologist considering expanding their hospital practice to include patients who experience temporary or permanent loss of oral language due to trauma, neurological changes or surgical interventions.

Table of contents

Preface

Chapter 1: History of AAC
Defining AAC
A Brief History of AAC
How Technology Has Impacted AAC
Etiologies That May Benefit from AAC
ASHA’s Stand on AAC

Chapter 2: Challenges
Access Challenges
Opportunity Challenges

Chapter 3: The Impact of Assistive Technology (AT) in Acute Care Settings
Review of AAC in Acute Care Settings

Chapter 4: Assessment Protocol
Videos for This Chapter

Chapter 5: Switches as the First Step to Establishing Communication
Nurse Call: Alternatives and Modifications
Standard Switches
Advanced Technology Switches
Iowa Smart Switch

Chapter 6: Iowa AAC Templates
One Button Template
Two-Three Button Templates
Grid Pattern Button Templates
Simple Buttons with Links Template
The Iowa Template

· Top Level Menu Page
· Feelings Pop-Up Page
· Pain Pop-Up Page
· Entertainment Pop-Up Page
· Chat Menu Page
· Medical Questions Pop-Up
· Jokes Pop-Up
· Room-Control ECU Pop-Up
· Bed Control Pop-Up
· TV Control Pop-Up
· Help Pop-Up
· Personal Pop-Up
· Novel Message Generation
· Rate Enhancement Strategies

Chapter 7: Mounting and Access Issues

· Device Mounting Solutions
· Hand-Held Implementations
· Bed Tray Implementations
· Bed Rail Implementations
· IV Pole Implementations
Switch Adaptation and Mounting Solutions
· Adapting Switches
· Mounting Strategies
Videos Associated with This Chapter

Chapter 8: Pain Management

Chapter 9: Environmental Control Units (ECU)

Chapter 10: Bad News-Communication Issues

Chapter 11: Cases
A: Solving the Language Barrier
B: Maintaining a Personal Voice - Adding Humor
C: Don’t Assume Full Understanding
D: Don’t Assume Too Little Understanding/Be Prepared for Surprises
E: Voicing Anger Case
F: Codependency
G: Failure All Around
H: Against-All-Odds: Success

Chapter 12: Setting Up and Funding an AAC/Assistive Technology Service
Current State of Affairs
Organization of an AT Service
Staffing
Equipment
Training

· Assessing Staff Needs
· In Service Training
· Competency Assessment
Funding Issues

Chapter 13: Useful Products and Links
The MacGyver Kit: Essential Tools and Materials
AAC Manufacturer Links
AAC Resource Links

Appendix A: Assessment Scenarios
Appendix B: Major AAC Manufacturers
Appendix C: AAC/AT Resources

References
Index