CAOT-BC Responds to Providence Health Care Changes in Videofluoroscopy Process

In response to member concerns about recent changes in occupational therapist involvement in videofluoroscopies at Providence Health Care, CAOT-BC sent the following letter to Providence Health Care on August 15, 2012. A response will be posted to this blog when received.

August 15, 2012

Candy Garossino

Director, Professional Practice and Nursing
Providence Health Care
CGarossino@providencehealth.bc.ca

 Dear Ms. Garossino:

I am writing to you on behalf of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists- BC Chapter (CAOT-BC), with concerns identified by some of our members regarding a recent decision by Providence Health Care to discontinue the use of occupational therapists to conduct, analyze and interpret videofluoroscopies. It has been brought to our attention that all videofluoroscopies will now be conducted by speech-language pathologists within Providence Health Care instead of the previous model of shared, common competencies between occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists. My understanding is that the reasons given are for regional standardization and for best patient care.

While CAOT-BC is supportive of the goal of consolidation of services in order to improve overall efficiencies for patient care, we are concerned that this change will not result in the best care for the patient. More specifically, we are concerned that these changes will lead to:

·         Increased wait times to receive videofluoroscopies;

·         Inefficiency and duplication in service delivery for patients and families;

·         Erosion of the inter-disciplinary team framework for shared practice;

·         Reduced capacity for collaboration in this broad practice area;

·         Reduced capacity for occupational therapists to assess and follow up appropriately with the team, patients and families;

Occupational therapists play a vital role in dysphagia care regarding timely patient access to competent care for both clinical and instrumental assessment and for appropriate follow up. Dysphagia is within the scope of occupational therapy practice, as supported by university curricula, evidence-based practice guidelines and research. In fact, I have recently been advised by the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia that there has never been a complaint about occupational therapy practice in this area.

Dysphagia screening, assessment and treatment are a valuable component of health services provided by Providence Health Care. CAOT-BC appreciates the importance of consolidation efforts being made by Providence Health Care, however, we are very concerned at the decision will negatively affect patient care for reasons outlined above. As the provincial association that represents occupational therapists in British Columbia, CAOT-BC would like to invite you to a meeting to discuss this decision.  I look forward to meeting with you in the near future.

 

Sincerely,

Giovanna Boniface, OT

Managing Director of CAOT-BC /  Directrice générale de l'ACE-CB
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists / Association
canadienne des ergothérapeutes
613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265
Fax: 613-523-2552

 cc: David Byres, Vice President, Clinical Programs and Chief of Professional Practice and Nursing (via email: DByres@providencehealth.bc.ca )