The IDDSI Festival 2024 was a tremendous success for many reasons, but for us, the true highlight was the overwhelmingly positive response to the launch of our new Food Consistency Test Fork and Dysphagia Pack. We were thrilled to see how well these tools were received. The enthusiasm from professionals and carers reaffirmed the importance of our work in making a tangible difference in the lives of those living with dysphagia.
A Tool That Changes Lives
Our innovative Food Consistency Test Fork was developed to offer a simple yet highly effective way to ensure the accuracy of food textures, giving care-givers, healthcare workers, and people with dysphagia the confidence that meals meet the necessary IDDSI standards. We designed the Fork not just as a utensil but as an integral tool that helps validate food textures through a straightforward, reliable method.
The feedback we received was overwhelming. Countless attendees praised the Fork’s ingenuity, with many remarking on how it would streamline the process of food texture testing, making it faster and more accurate, while boosting confidence for carers and families. Knowing that our Fork would be an integral part of improving efficiency in healthcare settings and at home was deeply rewarding.
Empowering Through Education: The Viscgo Dysphagia Pack
Alongside the Viscgo Fork, our Dysphagia Pack was designed to educate and empower those caring for people with dysphagia. It provides clear, actionable instructions and resources that allow carers and family members to confidently prepare meals and manage dysphagia in a home setting. The Pack was crafted with simplicity and effectiveness in mind, ensuring that it is easy to understand and use, even by those without a healthcare background.
The reception of the Dysphagia Pack was equally inspiring. Many attendees commented on how the training aspect of the Pack plugs a critical gap in carer understanding, making it easier for carers to understand dysphagia management, which can often seem overwhelming. One healthcare professional mentioned how this training would help reduce anxiety in carers by providing them with the tools and knowledge to manage dysphagia effectively at home.
Saving Lives Through Innovation
What truly moved us was hearing from the professionals who highlighted that the Viscgo Fork and Dysphagia Pack would do more than just improve efficiency — they would save lives. Dysphagia is a serious condition, and improper food textures can lead to choking, aspiration pneumonia, and other life-threatening complications. By making it easier to accurately assess food textures and by providing essential education, we are helping to prevent these risks, ensuring that those with swallowing difficulties can eat safely and with confidence.
One attendee summed it up perfectly:
“What you’re doing here is lifesaving. You’ve taken a complicated process and made it so accessible. These tools will not only help us in the clinic but empower patients and carers in their everyday lives.”
A Grateful Response from the IDDSI Community
The IDDSI community was beyond generous in their feedback. It was heartening to be inundated with such positive responses, with professionals and carers alike praising the efficiency, practicality, and life-saving potential of the tools we introduced. From speech and language therapists to care home staff, everyone was eager to get their hands on the new Viscgo Fork and Dysphagia Pack, recognizing the profound impact these tools will have in their daily care of people with dysphagia.
Looking Forward
We are incredibly proud of the role we are playing in the global effort to improve dysphagia care. The Viscgo Fork and Dysphagia Pack are just the latest in our commitment to developing resources that empower, educate, and protect. As we look toward the future, we remain dedicated to innovation and improving the lives of those affected by dysphagia.
The support we received at the IDDSI Festival 2024 was overwhelming and reaffirmed that we are on the right path. We want to thank everyone who engaged with us, shared their feedback, and expressed interest in using these tools in their professional and personal settings. Together, we are making dysphagia management more accessible, safer, and more effective.
Let’s continue working together to make a difference—because what we’re doing is not just about efficiency and education, it’s about saving lives.