October 2017

IN THIS BITE:
  • Q&A: IDDSI Flow Test
  • IDDSI Translations
  • Support for IDDSI
  • New Sponsors
  • IDDSI on the Move
Q&A: IDDSI Flow Test
What is the IDDSI Flow Test?
  • The IDDSI flow test is designed to test the ability of a liquid to flow in conditions related to swallowing a bolus. The thickness level of the liquid is defined by the amount of fluid remaining in the 10 ml syringe after 10 seconds.
  • The test is suitable for IDDSI Levels 0-3. Since Level 4 liquids do not flow the fork-drip and spoon-tilt tests are used to differentiate between a Level 3 (moderately thick/liquidized) and Level 4 (extremely thick/puree).


Why does the IDDSI framework not give values of viscosity for textured modified products?
The IDDSI framework does not use viscosity values for identifying texture modified products for the following reasons:
  • It’s not scientifically correct: Viscosity is used to describe Newtonian liquids (e.g. water, oil) however almost all thick drinks have shear-thinning non-Newtonian behavior. Their “apparent viscosity” depends on how they are tested.
  • It’s not specific enough: Two different liquid types (e.g. gum- vs starch-thickened) with exactly the same measured viscosity at any given shear rate (e.g. 50 /s) will not have the same measured viscosity at any other different shear rate. Nor will they necessarily appear the same or behave the same way when swallowed.
  • It is not practical: Specialised, expensive equipment is required (e.g. rheometer / viscometer with cone-plate attachment) which is not available in health and community care settings.
  • In comparison, the IDDSI Flow test is inexpensive, accessible and easy to perform requiring only a 10 ml syringe and timer.

Is the IDDSI Flow Test accurate?
  • Yes, in tests performed by the research community and international medical products industries, the IDDSI flow test has been demonstrated to be accurate and reliable.
  • The IDDSI Flow Test is based on the Posthumus funnel concept which has been used for many decades in the dairy industry to audit the thickness of milk, cream, yoghurt & custard. The geometry of the syringe allows for both shear and elongation flow types which represent flow conditions within the oral cavity and pharynx.

Can I use any 10 ml syringe?
Translation Reminder: Can You Help? Peer Reviews Needed...
Check out our website and if you speak any of these languages, please consider providing feedback on the current draft documents up for review:

  • Norwegian (Bokmål)
  • Italian
  • Swahili
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese (Br)
  • Chinese (simplified)
  • Arabic

Can you help? Consider reviewing a translated document and providing comments or email us if you are interested in translating documents.    Click here to read instructions on how you can help.
Support for IDDSI
I DDSI is thrilled with the level of support from around the globe from organizations such as Tibor’s kitchen; International and National societies such as the Japanese Society of Dysphagia Rehabilitation and the United Kingdom Swallowing Research Group as well as Professional assocations from multiple countries such as the American Speech Language Hearing Association, Dietitians Association of Australia and Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
New Sponsor
Shalit Foods has recently joined us as a Bronze Sponsor.
IDDSI on the Move
Recent, current and upcoming IDDSI-related presentations:

  • June 2017: Silver Group Purchasing, Burlington, ON.
  • August 2017: University of Utah Medical Center. Salt Lake City, UT.
  • September 2017: University Health Network International Dysphagia Interest Group.
  • Sept, 2017: Complete Purchasing Services Food Services & Facilities Conference – Orillia, ON
  • September, 2017: Dietetics in Health Care Communities Conference – Blaine, WA
  • September 2017: Complete Purchasing Services Food Services & Facilities Conference – London, ON
  • September 2017: European Society of Swallowing Disorders and 1st World Dysphagia Summit – Barcelona, Spain
  • October 2017: Sysco Atlantic Healthcare Show, Halifax, NS.
  • October 2017: Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE), Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). Chicago, IL.
  • November 2017: American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) conference. Los Angeles, California. 
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Please let us know what you are doing in your part of the world. We would be happy to share it with the rest of the world. Email us at communications@iddsi.org