Nutritional Management Associates offers cost-effective, individualized and comprehensive consultation services. We tailor our services for the specific needs of each of the agencies, schools and organizations for whom we consult. Our systems and materials are available to all of these clients.

We assist our clients to maintain cost-effective, best practices systems, programs, and procedures for managing the feeding and swallowing disorders (dysphagia and unsafe eating behaviors) in children and adults with developmental disability. In addition, we provide consulting services to individuals and their families for diagnostic and treatment needs. Our programs are designed to optimize the developmental potential, health, safety and quality of life for each individual. The swallowing activities that may be affected by dysphagia are eating and drinking, taking oral medications, controlling saliva and oral hygiene. We consider all of these functions in our management systems.

ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

·         Expert review of your current policy, procedures and systems for managing the swallowing and feeding problems of individuals in your care

·         Survey your population to determine the extent and severity of the nutritional and management needs

·         Assist you in developing sound policy and procedures for managing meals, snack time, oral hygiene and administration of oral medications

·         Develop comprehensive, sensible and defensible systems for

o        Assessment and treatment of swallowing and feeding disorder

o        Coordinating medical, clinical, classroom and residential care

o        Staff supervision and monitoring

o        Effective documentation in client records

o        Effective communication with families and other care givers

o        Staff utilization

·         Assist you in continual process and quality improvement for dining room environments, individual mealtime care, medications administration and oral hygiene

ASSESSMENT AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEMS

·         We have available to our clients specialized assessment systems and assessments for children and adults with developmental disability and dysphagia.

o        The Dysphagia Disorders Survey and Dysphagia Management Staging Scale. These assessments, statistically validated on children and adults with developmental disability, are used for

§         Screening populations for prevalence of dysphagia

§         Efficient re-evaluation for changes in abilities

§         Determining staffing needs in subgroups of a population

§         Assisting in preparation of individualized management plans

o        The Choking Risk Assessment and The Pneumonia Risk Assessment, statistically validated on adults with developmental disability, are used for determining the potential of individuals for choking and pneumonia, thereby facilitating individual risk management and health promotion.

o        The NMA Comprehensive Dysphagia Team Evaluation is an integrated clinical dysphagia assessment that provides a systematic process for collaborative allied health evaluation of individuals with complex medical and functional needs.

o        Dysphagia/feeding and swallowing disorder clinics. This service is provided on site. It may be provided for a specific client or several clients. Clinics are designed to address the needs of challenging cases and demonstrate the evaluation and individualized program planning process. Staff and families participate in the assessment. Management and treatment recommendations are developed in a collaborative process that is individualized for the site. Follow up may be provided in regularly scheduled Clinics or as needed, to review progress and assist staff in developing further goals

MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND STRATEGIES
FOR DAILY ACTIVITY AND THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS

·         Assist in Environmental Management for dining, recreational eating, oral medications and oral hygiene to optimize functional capabilities and quality of life for individuals in group environments

·         Assist in developing Individualized Mealtime, Medications and Oral hygiene Management Plans for guiding care giving interventions for safe and effective function, optimum quality of life and maintenance and advancement of skills

·         Assist in developing Individualized Treatment Plans for advancing skills and behaviors and improving eating efficiency. Our focus is on evidence-based, functional exercise and activity-based training strategies that maximize daily practice opportunities as the most effective and efficient means for promoting advancement and improving behaviors.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL AND CARE GIVER EDUCATION

·         We provide workshops for varied interest groups

o        Professional Continuing Education Training Workshops

o        Care giver/family Training Workshops

o        Administrative Management Workshops

·         We provide workshops that focus on issues related to specific populations

o        Early Intervention – Birth to three

o        Pre School – Three to Five

o        School-age children and young adults

o        Adults and geriatric individuals

·         We provide workshops that focus on specific settings

o        Early Intervention

o        Home based

o        Public and Private Schools

o        Day treatment centers

o        Group homes

o        Congregate residential facilities

·         We provide workshops that focus on specific problems.

o        Medically complex swallowing and feeding disorder

o        Individuals who are fed by tube

o        Behavioral swallowing and feeding disorders

o        Delayed development of swallowing and feeding skills

o        Apraxia effecting eating

o        Gastro-esophageal disorders affecting swallowing and feeding

o        Sensory based swallowing and feeding disorder

o        Motor based swallowing and feeding disorder

·         We provide workshops that focus on administrative issues

o        Quality Assurance

o        Risk Management for choking, pneumonia and nutritional failure

o        Monitoring and Supervision

o        Policy and Procedure

·         We provide Certification workshops for the use of The Dysphagia Disorders Survey and The Dysphagia Management Staging Scale to facilities, agencies, and individuals. Use is restricted to Certified providers.

FORENSIC SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY

·         We have many years of extensive experience supporting congregate facilities in developing best practices nutritional management systems that satisfy Department of Justice complaints made under the Civil Rights for Institutional Persons Act (CRIPA).

·         We have many years of experience in providing case review, expert witness and advocacy services for individuals and agencies

Contents Copyright © 2003~2008 nutritionalmanagement.org  All Rights Reserved.