Aspiration Risk Management

Some people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) may be at risk for developing Aspiration Pneumonia.  The Clinical Services Bureau manages the statewide Aspiration Risk Management Program to help reduce the likelihood of aspiration events, which can lead to pneumonia or even death.  The Aspiration Risk Management program assists in the identification of risk factors, early recognition of aspiration symptoms and implementation of personalized interventions that can minimize the health risk of aspiration.

Standardized Screening

The New Mexico DDW program has long focused on Aspiration Risk Management. In 2010, we began using a standardized screening tool and Comprehensive Aspiration Risk Management Plan (CARMP).

Supports and Assessment for Feeding and Eating Clinics

Two separate clinics are sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD) to provide Supports and Assessment for Feeding and Eating (SAFE).

Adults

The Adult SAFE Clinics help with this effort by providing multidisciplinary evaluation services to individuals at risk ages 18 and over.

Children

Children, ages 0-18 may be seen at the Pediatric SAFE clinic held at the UNM Center for Development and Disability. Please visit the Pediatric SAFE Clinic website to learn more.

Essential Information

The Clinical Services Bureau staff and consulting team provide a variety of supports including professional training, consultation and monitoring of persons at Aspiration Risk.  See the listing below for links to current Aspiration Risk Management resources. 

Tools

• Aspiration Risk Management: Screening Tool
• Aspiration Risk Management: Nursing Collaborative Assessment Tool
• Decision Consultation Form (Coming Soon)

Comprehensive Aspiration Risk Management Plan

• Aspiration Risk Management: CARMP Template (See the CARMP Instructions to learn more)
• Aspiration Risk Management: CARMP Case Study Part 1
• Aspiration Risk Management: CARMP Case Study Part 2
• CSB CI ARM 2022 CARMP Template Training 3/31/2022

Meeting Guidelines

• Aspiration Risk Management: Guidelines for Initial Meetings
• Aspiration Risk Management: Guidelines for Ongoing Meetings

Training

• Aspiration Risk Management: Competency-Based Training Roster (Sample Form)

SARL

• Refer to Therap to submit referral form for the Statewide Aspiration Risk List

Feeding Tube

• Aspiration Risk Management: Feeding Tube Frequently Asked Questions (Coming Soon)

Mealtime

• Aspiration Risk Management: Mealtime Observation Checklist