United States and Territories

Introduction & Resource Files

The official launch of IDDSI in the US and Territories began May 2019. The United States & Territories IDDSI Reference Group (USTIRG) would like to help guide your facility or organization through IDDSI implementation. This webpage is a living document. The USTIRG continues to update resources to serve your needs as an active participant in IDDSI implementation. Thank you to those respondents of our 2021 Survey; we had well over 1,000 participants.

Are you ready to advance through the IDDSI stages of implementation: Aware, Prepare, and Adopt?

The USTIRG is here to help you walk through the following stages:

Advocacy Tool Kit: Getting buy-in at your facility for IDDSI
Getting Started: The Implementation Process
Preparing for Regulatory Surveys
Tutorials and Trainings: Powerpoints & videos
News You Can Use Now: Newsletters & social media links
Contact Us: Reach out to the leaders of USTIRG

1. Advocacy Toolkit: Getting IDDSI Buy-in

The Advocacy Toolkit provides resources to achieve “buy-in” of IDDSI from administrators and other healthcare workers. IDDSI’s mission is to improve safety across the lifespan and the continuum of care; therefore, please see references and resources on safety and choking.

2. Getting Started: The Implementation Process

Getting Started provides resources for assistance with beginning IDDSI implementation.

Refer to the IDDSI Global Implementation Guides for suggestions for the types of tasks and timeframes needed for implementation of the IDDSI framework.
Food & Drink/Liquid Testing: Spreadsheet Template
- Log the results of your IDDSI testing for all items on your menu. A starting list is provided. Edit this document to meet the needs of your facility.
Resources on Transitioning from NDD to IDDSI (Click here to see full document)

3. Preparing for Regulatory Survey

Standards of Practice - Regulatory information for Long-Term Care, Hospitals, Home Health Agencies, and more
State Survey Regulatory Directory: CMS State Survey Agency Directory - April 2021

4. Tutorials & Trainings

All powerpoints and videos are free to be used and customized by individuals and facilities for training purposes.

PowerPoints:

More PowerPoints & videos coming soon.

5. News You Can Use Now

US and Territories E-Bite Update
- April 2021 Update (pdf, 2021)
- May 2021 Update (pdf, 2021)
- June 2021 Update (pdf, 2021)
- July 2021 Update (pdf, 2021)
Follow IDDSI on Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter
Download the IDDSI app by searching "IDDSI" on your App Store
Follow the IDDSI YouTube Channel

6. Contact Us

The United States & Territories IDDSI Reference Group (USTIRG) was formed in November 2020. Over 245 applications were received and many volunteers have committed to help guide, foster, advocate, facilitate and support implementation of IDDSI in the United States and Territories. The USTIRG work teams are:

Work Teams	Leadership	Contact Info
Primary Contacts/ Team Oversight	John Holahan Peter Lam Luis Riquelme	Email
Implementation/ Advocacy	Amanda Demane Sarah Russell	Email
Education/ Training	Melissa Naiman Sheryl Lozicki	Email
Communication/ Newsletters	Alla Mehl Katrina Woodward Laura Brooks	Email
Resource Collection/ Development	Mary Casper Mary Rybicki Karen Sheffler	Email
Utilization/ Guidance/ Best Practice	Margaret Roche	Email
Research/ Data Collection	Barbara Pauloski Jacqueline Santaroce	Email

Learn more about these committees.
Send your questions about best practices to usa.bestpractices@iddsi.net.
Contact our leaders with your ideas of what resources are needed. Share with the nation (and world) what resources have worked for you. We are all in this together nationally and globally.

Page last updated: July 21, 2021