Thickened Liquids (Thomas - Online)

Course overview

Thickened liquids are frequently used as an evidenced based intervention to reduce aspiration risk in pediatric patients with pharyngeal dysphagia. There are several commercial thickening agents with various pros/cons for specific pediatric populations. During this course, providers will learn the standardized terminology for liquids and solids and how to thicken liquids to enhance swallow safety for patients with dysphagia. Providers will review the latest International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) terminology for dysphagia diets. They will learn about the various commercial thickening agents on the market as well as natural food-based thickeners. The evidence base for using thickened liquids as an intervention to enhance pharyngeal swallow safety will be reviewed. Providers with learn thickening strategies, recipes, and mixing instructions. Providers taking this course will learn how to choose an appropriate commercial thickening agent and avoid thickeners that have adverse side-effects for specific patient populations.