NOMS Speech-Language Pathology Registry

NOMS is a voluntary data collection registry that illustrates the value of speech-language pathology services and enables clinicians to improve the quality of those services.

The key to the NOMS Speech-Language Pathology Registry is the use of ASHA's Functional Communication Measures (FCMs). FCMs are a series of disorder-specific rating scales designed to describe the change in an individual's functional communication and/or swallowing ability over time and are for exclusive use by NOMS participants only.

There is no cost to participate in the NOMS Speech-Language Pathology Registry. However, all participating speech-language pathologists (SLPs) must be ASHA Certified Members. Individuals currently completing their Clinical Fellowship experience are not eligible to participate.

Data Collection

Based on an individual's treatment plan/Individualized Education Program (IEP), SLPs choose FCMs and answer related questions at admission to—and again at—discharge from speech-language pathology services. The difference in the calculated FCM scores depicts the amount of change in communication and/or swallowing abilities after speech and language intervention.

You will be asked to collect data on all on patients ages 3 years and above who are under your plan of care.

This video provides a preview of the NOMS system and data collection forms used in the speech-language pathology registry.

NOMS data collection is quick, is easy, and involves the reporting of information already included in the patient's record. This includes information on the following:

Demographics
Diagnosis
Functional status using
- FCMs
- Optional Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs)
- Optional treatment targets
- Optional treatment satisfaction outcomes
Treatment setting
Service delivery model(s)
Amount, frequency, and intensity of services
Discharge disposition

Once you've registered to participate in NOMS, you can submit data in one of two ways:

By manual entry via our web-based tool
By electronic transmission directly from your organization's internal documentation system

You will not be asked to collect any protected health information (e.g., name, date of birth), administer any specific formal assessments, or withhold treatment in any way. NOMS is a supplement to, and not a replacement for, standardized testing. Although formal assessment measures provide information on improvement of specific skill areas, they do not always reflect how that skill improvement translates into improved performance in work, school, social interactions, or other functional day-to-day activities.

Data Reports

As a NOMS participant, you will have access to a NOMS dashboard that provides an in-depth analysis of your organization’s outcomes benchmarked against the national data. The interactive dashboard allows you to generate customizable data reports that can help you and your organization improve the quality of your care and demonstrate the effectiveness of speech-language pathology services.