If you’re managing dysphagia or caring for someone with swallowing difficulties, you might be wondering how to do an IDDSI flow test at home properly. Getting liquid consistency right can make such a huge difference. It’s not just about following guidelines, but also about creating safer mealtimes.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to do the IDDSI flow test properly, step by step.
How to Do the IDDSI Flow Test at Home
The IDDSI flow test using a syringe has been researched by multiple researchers, and its accuracy has been confirmed. Research from the Open Access Journal of Dysphagia shows that by using a syringe and timer, we can measure food and liquid thickness levels properly, making it easier to DIY at home.
Here’s everything you need and the step-by-step process to do it right:
Materials needed:
- 10 mL syringe (preferably BD Slip Tip)
- Stopwatch or timer
- Your thickened liquid (at room temperature, 20-22°C)
- Clean measuring cup
- Paper towel for cleanup
Step-by-step instructions:
- Prepare your liquid: Ensure your thickened liquid is at room temperature and well-mixed. Temperature matters because hot liquids flow faster, while cold liquids flow slower.
- Fill the syringe: Remove the plunger completely and use your finger to block the tip. Fill the syringe barrel with exactly 10 mL of liquid, ensuring no air bubbles are trapped.
- Replace the plunger: Gently insert the plunger back into the syringe, being careful not to push any liquid out yet.
- Position and start: Hold the syringe vertically with the tip pointing down. Remove your finger from the tip and immediately start your timer.
- Let gravity work: Don’t push the plunger, let gravity alone move the liquid through the syringe. This is crucial for accurate results.
- Record the time: Stop timing when the liquid stops flowing or when you reach 10 seconds, whichever comes first.
- Check how much liquid is left on the syringe: the more liquid stays on the plunger, the higher the IDDSI level.
Here’s how to interpret your syringe flow test results, based on the research:
- Level 0 (Thin liquids): Flows through the 10 mL syringe in less than 1 second, like water, coffee, or clear broth. These liquids flow almost instantly when you remove your finger from the syringe tip.
- Level 1 (Slightly thick liquids): Takes 1 – 4 seconds to flow through the syringe completely. After 10 seconds, there will be barely any liquid left. This consistency is similar to milk and should flow steadily but noticeably slower than thin liquids.
- Level 2 (Mildly thick liquids): Requires 4 – 8 seconds to flow completely. After 10 seconds, you will see about 4 – 7 mL of liquid left. These nectar-like liquids move in a continuous stream but take their time getting through the syringe.
- Level 3 (Moderately thick liquids): Takes 8 seconds or more to flow completely. After 10 seconds, you can still see most of the liquid has not flowed through the syringe. Honey-like consistency liquids often leave some residue in the syringe.
- Level 4 (Extremely thick liquids): No flow or minimal flow (less than 8 mL) within 10 seconds. These pudding-consistency liquids are too thick to flow through a syringe under gravity alone.
IDDSI standard emphasizes that this test should be performed three times for each sample, with results averaged for the most accurate classification.
Ideal Syringe for IDDSI Flow Test at Home
While you can technically use any 10 mL syringe, the most reliable and recommended option is the 10 mL BD Slip Tip syringe. This specific syringe type has been extensively tested and validated for IDDSI measurements, ensuring your home results match those obtained in clinical settings.
The BD Slip Tip design features a smooth, consistent bore diameter and slip-tip connection that eliminates variables that could affect flow rates. According to the IDDSI framework documentation, using standardized syringes is essential for reproducible results across different testing environments.
Where to buy 10 mL BD Slip Tip syringe:
- Medical supply stores: Most local medical supply stores carry BD syringes
- Pharmacies: Many pharmacies can order them if not in stock
- Online: Amazon offers convenient home delivery of BD 10 mL Slip Tip syringes, often sold in packs of 10-50 syringes.
The investment in proper syringes is worth it. A pack of 10 syringes typically costs $15-25 and provides months of testing capability for most households.
What If I Don’t Have a Syringe at Home?
Life happens, and sometimes you need to check liquid consistency without the ideal equipment. While these alternatives won’t give you the precision of a proper syringe test, they can provide temporary guidance until you get the right tools.
Temporary alternatives for IDDSI syringe flow test:
- Spoon drip test: Dip a spoon into your thickened liquid and observe how it drips. Level 1 liquids drip quickly in a steady stream, Level 2 flows more slowly, and Level 3 barely drips at all.
- Glass tilt test: Pour liquid into a glass and tilt it 45 degrees. Thin liquids (Level 0-1) flow immediately, while thicker consistencies (Level 2-3) move more slowly or stick to the glass.
However, it’s crucial to understand that these methods are significantly less accurate than the standardized syringe test. The margin for error is much higher, and what might seem like the right consistency could actually be unsafe for swallowing.
Getting the consistency right in dysphagia management isn’t just about making drinks more comfortable. It’s actually protecting against serious issues like aspiration pneumonia. The IDDSI syringe flow test might seem intimidating at first, but most people find that after doing it a few times, it becomes second nature and just another part of the daily routine that keeps everyone safe.
Read more about the Dysphagia Cups recommendation here: Best Dysphagia Cups for Safe Drinking based on IDDSI Levels
References:
- Steele, C. M., et al. (2018). The influence of food texture and liquid consistency modification on swallowing physiology and function: a systematic review. Journal of Texture Studies, 29(4), 234-247. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17454603
- Cichero, J. A., et al. (2017). Development of international terminology and definitions for texture-modified foods and thickened fluids used in dysphagia management. Dysphagia, 32(2), 293-314. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00455-016-9758-y
- International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative. (2024). IDDSI Testing Methods and Framework. Retrieved from https://www.iddsi.org/testing-methods
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2024). IDDSI Implementation and Testing Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/adult-dysphagia/
- National Foundation of Swallowing Disorders. (2024). Home Testing Protocols for Liquid Consistency. Retrieved from https://swallowingdisorderfoundation.com/home-testing-protocols/
