Augmentative and Alternative Communication in Ventilated Patients: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objectives: to map the benefits of Augmentative and Alternative Communication in ventilated adults in Intensive Care Unit and identify strategies used. Methods: a Scoping Review was carried out according to the Joanna Brigs Institute Protocol. The research question was: “In adult patients ventilated in Intensive Care Units, what are the benefits of Augmentative and Alternative Communication?”. An article research was carried out at PubMed, EBSCOhost and B-On databases. It was held between October and November 2018, from 2013 to 2018, in Portuguese and in English. Results: 61 references were obtained. After selection according to the inclusion criteria, 7 articles were analyzed. Conclusions: studies enunciate Augmentative and Alternative Communication as a strategy to enhance communication, describing methods and tools. There is no agreement on the most effective tool.