HomeNews Special Features Introducing the US & Territories IDDSI Reference Group Committees

Introducing the US & Territories IDDSI Reference Group Committees

Mar 29, 2021
Hello!
Good afternoon
Kes-La-Keh
Hafa Adai
Talofa
¡Hola!
 
We are so pleased to congratulate our USTIRG committees on a strong start in 2021.  Kudos to these committees on their progress and plans! 
 
Introductions are undoubtedly in order, so please read on to learn more about each committee and how these teams are working to pave the road to IDDSI success in the US & Territories.
 
Meet UTILIZATION & GUIDANCE!  Led by Margaret Roche, MS, RD, CDCES, CSG, FAND, this committee is collecting examples of how healthcare organizations are using IDDSI language and terminology.  U&G is also working on guidance and best practices using IDDSI language to provide to others as they implement IDDSI.  Their current “hot topics” include which order the IDDSI level name and other identifiers should follow, how to address character limitations in software and the use of abbreviations.  Over the next quarter, we are excited to see the outline developed by U&G as they aim to establish the type of guidance the USTURG will provide on how to use IDDSI language. Email this Committee.
 
Our colleagues in RESOURCE COLLECTION & DEVELOPMENT are led by Mary L. Casper, MA, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow, FNAP, Karen M. Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Mary Rybicki, MS, RDN, LDN.  This team has been busy curating spreadsheets and developing systems to organize documents/resources with the aim of offering resources needed such as  detailing the process of implementation for SNF rollout and providing supportive guidance on using diet manuals as NDD is phased out.  RC&D is also investigating what other resources could benefit people implementing IDDSI in all types of settings, unique to facilitating success for the US & Territories. Email this Committee.

RESEARCH & DATA has taken on the mission of creating and cataloguing a database of research articles pertaining to IDDSI, led by Jacqueline Santacroce, MS, CCC-SLP & Barbara Pauloski, PhD, CCC-SLP.  This database will help to identify future research needs, bringing into focus IDDSI’s strengths and areas of challenge.  To date R&D have compiled 52 different articles in their Research Catalog.  Email this Committee.
 
IMPLEMENTATION & ADVOCACY is spearheaded by Amanda Demane M.A., CCC-SLP with support from Sarah Russell MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S.  Two subcommittees have branched out to initiate (1) an environmental scan via survey for the US & Territories and (2) a “Why IDDSI?” subcommittee to produce resources supporting adoption and implementation.  I&A will gather survey data on implementation status across the US & Territories which will help to support the needs of healthcare professionals also working towards IDDSI success. Email this Committee
 
Under the guidance of Melissa Naiman, PhD, EMT-B and Sheryl Lozicki, RDN, MBA, EDUCATION & TRAINING is facilitating use of IDDSI brand standards across all educational materials and user-facing content.  The committee is in the process of conducting a needs assessment that will smooth the way for updated content for clinical, food service and community audiences.  They have a document-tracking library and are reviewing the standardization of IDDSI 101, 201 and 301. Email this Committee.
 
Meet your COMMUNICATION & NEWSLETTERS gurus, Laura Brooks, M.Ed. CCC-SLP, BCS-S, Alla Mehl MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S and Katrina Woodward MS, CCC-SLP, CDP.  We are thrilled to be sharing this first issue of the USTIRG E-BITE with you and we are equally excited for the internal newsletter in progress for our USTIRG members.  Also, please follow @iddsi on Instagram. The USTIRG will post updates on IDDSI implementation in our area, and we hope that there is representation from all of the other countries.  This is a great way for us to continue to collaborate and support each other.  Email this Committee
 
Last but not least, we would like to thank our IDDSI USTIRG leaders for their guidance and support as we continue to implement our committee missions.