If your patient or family member has been intubated with an endotracheal tube and placed on a ventilator, they may be fully conscious yet unable to produce speech. They desperately want to communicate but literally cannot speak. What can you do?
AAC offers many solutions to help these individuals communicate effectively. Today, we’ll introduce an affordable and practical AAC tool: the communication board.
EZ Board
Many companies have developed communication boards for hospitalized patients. Here we introduce the EZ Board by VidaTalk, which has been translated into multiple languages including Simplified Chinese.
The EZ Board is also evidence-based. For the research, see:
VidaTalk App
Another product from VidaTalk is the VidaTalk App, which also has a Simplified Chinese version and is free.
- iOS: Apple App Store
- Android: Google Play
Communication boards display common patient needs, allowing patients to point to what they want to express. Medical staff or family members can then confirm the message. This helps healthcare providers and families understand the patient’s needs and reduces the anxiety patients experience during hospitalization.
We hope this helps more people learn how AAC can solve communication challenges for ventilator patients!
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