National Texture Modification Standards

Evaluation Project

In May 2010 a project was commenced to evaluate the uptake of the Australian Standardised Terminology and Definitions for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids.

The project is a joint initiative between Speech Pathology Australia and DAA and is supported by Nestlè. The project consultancy was awarded to two speech pathologists working in public health from Southern Health in Melbourne; Michelle O’Rourke (Project Manager) and Sarah Jukes (Project Officer).

This project follows on from the initial project conducted by Speech Pathology Australia and DAA that saw the development of Australian standardised terminology and definitions for texture modified foods and fluids used for individuals with dysphagia. The standards were launched and published in May 2007.

The project aims to review the uptake and utility of the Australian Standardised Terminology and Definitions of Texture Modified Food and Fluids, and to develop recommendations to support the standards ongoing utility. The project will conclude in October 2010.

The project will be guided by the input from a Project Reference Group who will provide advice and feedback to the project consultants regarding the methodology and outcomes of the project.

The project consultants look forward to providing regular updates regarding the project progress over the coming months.

Development Project

Thickened fluids and texture-modified foods are provided for the management of swallowing difficulties (dysphagia). Previously a large number of different labels were applied to food textures and fluid thickness levels across Australia. The consequences of inconsistent terminology can affect patient safety and reduces the efficiency of communication.
 
The DAA and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia joined together to develop agreed standards for a number of levels and definitions of thickened fluids and texture-modified foods within the Australian context. This project was supported by Novartis Medical Nutrition (now part of Nestlè).

Resources
 
A scale for modified fluids and a scale for texture-modified foods was developed and consensus was achieved. The standard scales and a poster are available to download:

Australian Standardised Terminology and Definitions for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids (Appendix Only)

Australian Standards for Texture Modified Foods and Fluids Poster Hard copy posters are no longer available.
 

The Standards The Standards, published in May 2007, are now recommended for use throughout Australia. New Zealand has also endorsed the Standards. For all the background information on how the Standards were developed download a copy of the published Supplement to the DAA DAA Journal, Nutrition & Dietetics available via the Wiley-Blackwell Publishing website. MEMBERS: Members can view the complete document by logging into the Members' Section>Publications and Resources> Nutrition & Dietetics Journal. Non-DAA members can access information regarding the Suplement and the Journal, including Author Guidelines, Subscriptions, Table of Contents and Advertising via the Wiley-Blackwell Publishing website: Nutrition & Dietetics Information. Limited hard copies of the Supplement are available from Wiley-Blackwell.

Launch of the Standards

Several events were held in 2007 to report on the Standards development project. The Brisbane workshop held on 20 August 2007 was recorded and is available to view as a  Webpresent.