Non-verbal communication board

[mcknis]

I am at work right now dealing with a stroke pt. I am in desparate need of a non-verbal communication device/board, but our facility does not have one. It is just a bit hard to communicate with someone who cannot do it for themselves. If you can please post one of these, many thanks will be sent your way.

Thanks to all.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You could always have a go at making your own using pictures and words. If the patient is able you could always get some letters and get patient to spell word out. That is what we have done with my FIL who had a stroke a few months ago

[CritterLover, BSN, RN]

does your facility ever use diprivan?

[color=#483d8b]one of the icus i've worked in had nice picture boards the diprivan rep provided. if any of the units in your facility use the drug, you might try contacting the rep to see if they still have them.

[nurz2be]

Go get some flashcards from your local learning center, most towns have them. They have very basic pictures on them. Most of these learning centers have sections as well for students with disabilities, even more generalized flash cards. Those can be used for your patient as well.

[nightmare, RN]

This may help.

http://www.ec-online.net/knowledge/Articles/communication.html

[Ahhphoey]

does your facility ever use diprivan?

[color=#483d8b]one of the icus i've worked in had nice picture boards the diprivan rep provided. if any of the units in your facility use the drug, you might try contacting the rep to see if they still have them.

i just saw that diprivan board for the first time at one of the hospitals in the health system i work in. it took me a few minutes to figure out what it was, but it was really neat.

to the op, like others have said, create your own communication board. you could hand write it or do it on the computer, put some laminate paper on it to preserve it, and put it to use. also, with making your own, you can customize it to the patient and some of their usual or frequent wants or needs.

[EmmaG, RN]

http://www.vidatak.com/

Check out the news clip. Created by a medical student/former ICU nurse.

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

When I worked in a group home, we made our own communication boards. We used a digital camera to take pictures- the resident's bathroom, favorite foods, drinks, etc. Personalizing it to the resident really seemed to help.

I think that it's great that you are taking the initiative to assist your patient in communicating!