The primary aim of pediatric Eating, Feeding, and Swallowing (EFS) services is to assess and manage concerns presented by those with a suspected or known pediatric feeding disorder, to improve health outcomes and patient safety, while promoting quality of life, and creating a positive feeding experience. This may involve addressing issues within the following health domains as they relate to a pediatric feeding disorder:
- Nutrition and Hydration Domain
- Medical Domain
- Feeding Skill Domain
- Psychosocial Domain
AHS Standardized Service
- Standardized Eating Feeding and Swallowing Services for Pediatrics (AHS staff login required)
Target Population
Children (birth to 18 years old) with a known or suspected pediatric feeding disorder.
Access & Referral
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Local |
Zone |
Provincial |
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Description |
Local service providers accept referrals from all sources, and may or may not include self-referral. |
Zone services support local service providers and accept referrals for individuals who require complex eating, feeding and swallowing related assessment and treatment. |
Provincial services are available to those infants, children and youth who have had a clinical assessment and require support that cannot be accommodated at the zone level. One site may offer a mix of zone and provincial level services based on context and needs. |
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Example |
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Specialized EFS service locations such as:
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Wait Time Targets
Wait time targets for clinical and instrumental assessment are based on priority levels, and are as per standard patient access targets in Connect Care for general rehabilitation:
| Urgency Level | Definition | Wait Time Target |
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| Emergent | Not currently medically stable, high risk of harm requiring intervention within 24 hours. | Available only in emergency and inpatient hospitals |
| Urgent | Acute risk of harm due to hydration status, nutrition status, or aspiration risk, but not in immediate danger. | 2 weeks |
| Routine | Low risk of immediate harm, nutritionally stable. | 6 weeks |
