When should a speech therapy consultation be requested for stroke patients?

Requesting a speech therapy consultation for stroke patients is critical when they fail the dysphagia screening. This is because the dysphagia screening is designed to identify patients who may have difficulty swallowing, which is a common complication following a stroke. When a patient fails this screening, it indicates a higher risk of aspiration and other swallowing-related issues, necessitating a timely and specialized evaluation by a speech therapist.

Speech therapists play a crucial role in assessing swallowing function and providing interventions that can help prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia and ensure safe feeding strategies. Prompt consultation helps facilitate appropriate management plans tailored to the individual's needs and ensures that any communication deficits or swallowing difficulties are addressed as early as possible, improving overall patient outcomes after a stroke.