BENEFIT OF A COMMUNICATION DISORDERS ASSISTANT ON AN ACUTE STROKE UNIT… 2 YEARS LATER
Communication Disorders Assistants (CDA) are becoming more widely used within healthcare organizations1. CDAs offer an array of supportive roles to Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists.  In 2015, the SLPs working within the Integrated Stroke Program in Hamilton proposed to their management team consideration to hire a CDA for the acute care stroke program. Anticipated benefits included:
•	Improve ability to meet Stroke Best Practice Guidelines for communication and dysphagia
•	Commence therapy for those patients awaiting a bed in rehab
•	Increase education to patients and families
Success! 2 years later, the benefit of the role has been many!  Stroke patients have their communication abilities screened in a timely manner, education for patients and families, therapy at the bedside in acute care can occur and so on and so forth.