Open Care Connect - Nutrition & Swallowing Risk Checklist

Nutrition & Swallowing Risk Checklist

Open Care Community Services Pty Ltd t/a Open Care Connect | ABN: 22 668 873 694 | NDIS: 4-JU2I9UJ

CI-NSR-001 | V1.1 | Custodian: Clinical Lead

Purpose: This checklist screens for dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) and nutritional risk in NDIS participants receiving mealtime or community access support. Complete at intake and at each annual review, or sooner following a clinical event (e.g. aspiration, unexplained weight loss, change in health status). All findings must be documented in the participant's care plan. Results indicating risk must trigger a referral to an appropriate allied health professional (speech pathologist or dietitian).

Section A: Participant Identification

Participant full name *

Preferred name

Date of birth *

NDIS number

Date of assessment *

Location of assessment

Section B: Swallowing Risk Indicators

Tick all indicators that apply. Two or more ticked items indicate elevated swallowing risk and require referral to a speech pathologist.

Section C: Nutritional Risk Indicators

Tick all indicators that apply. Two or more ticked items indicate elevated nutritional risk and require referral to a dietitian.

Unintentional weight loss of ≥5% in the past 3 months (or ≥10% in the past 6 months) BMI below 18.5 or above 35 (see Section G) Reduced appetite or food refusal lasting more than one week Restricted diet (e.g. cultural, religious, self-imposed, or medical) Reliance on nutritional supplements as primary food source Skin integrity concerns consistent with poor nutrition (pressure injuries, poor wound healing) Difficulty self-feeding due to physical or cognitive impairment Known chronic condition with nutritional implications (e.g. diabetes, renal disease, PKU, coeliac disease)

Nutritional risk notes

Section D: Outcome Decision

Select one outcome based on the findings in Sections B and C. Only one option may apply.

No swallowing or nutritional risk identified. No further action required at this time. Low risk identified. Monitor at each mealtime, reassess in 3 months or sooner if concerns arise. Elevated swallowing risk. Referral to speech pathologist required before mealtime support commences or continues. Elevated nutritional risk. Referral to dietitian required within 5 business days.

Outcome rationale

Section E: Referral Details

Referral to speech pathologist?

Yes No Already engaged

Speech pathologist name / service

SP referral date

SP appointment date

Referral to dietitian?

Yes No Already engaged

Dietitian name / service

Dietitian referral date

Dietitian appointment date

Section F: IDDSI Texture & Fluid Recommendations

Complete only where a modified diet is in place or has been prescribed by a speech pathologist. All levels must be verified against the official IDDSI framework (iddsi.org). These levels must appear in the participant's care plan and be communicated to all support workers providing mealtime assistance.

Section G: Weight & BMI

Weight (kg)

Height (cm)

BMI (calculated)

Date of measurement

Measured by

Weight / BMI notes

Section H: Assessor Sign-off

The assessor must be a registered clinician (speech pathologist, dietitian, registered nurse) or a trained OCC clinical lead. Support workers may contribute observations but must not complete this sign-off independently.

Assessor Signature

Date

Clinical Lead / Reviewer Signature

Date

Records Control

Document No.	Version	Created	Review Due	Custodian
CI-NSR-001	V1.1	20 May 2026	May 2027	Clinical Lead