Archives

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Dysphagia: What Have We Learned So Far and What Do We Still Need to Investigate? (2021)

January 31, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious respiratory disorder that causes persistent airflow obstruction, inflammatory response, and systemic manifestation. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, COPD was projected to be the third leading cause of death internationally by 2021. This article reviewed various clinical questions about dysphagia and COPD with current research available. The team wanted to […]
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Basic Cheat Sheet for the use of Passy Muir Speaking Valve with Ventilation

January 31, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Working with the ventilation population can be initially daunting as a speech-language pathologist (SLP). This material provides a basic review of types of ventilation and ventilator settings that are important to know and understand before initiating Passy Muir speaking valve (PMV) trials. Furthermore, a review of the benefits of PMV use and collaboration with a respiratory therapist is provided.
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How to Use the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI)

January 31, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This handout explains how laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) are similar and different. Then the patient can use the Reflux Symptoms Index, and the SLP will calculate the score. The SLP and patient can track the scores to see if the scores change over time with compensatory dysphagia strategies and/or the physician, including medications for symptom relief.
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Clinical Complexities of Tracheostomy Care (Part 2)

January 23, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This course is designed to dive more deeply into speaking valve utilization, evidence-based research supporting application for swallowing/voice restoration, and troubleshooting difficult placements. In line vent placement and steps towards decannulation will also be reviewed. This companion course will expand base knowledge from Part 1.
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Jumpstart your Knowledge: Dysphagia Education and Training in the Digital Age

January 22, 2022 by Megan Berg.
This course explores new avenues of dysphagia education. Participants will be able to summarize insufficiencies in traditional SLP training in normal and disordered swallowing, describe current SLP practice patterns and trends related to dysphagia management, and describe proposed learning solutions for improving dysphagia education and training for students and clinicians in the digital age.
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Clinical Complexities of Tracheostomy Care (Part 1 )

January 17, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Patients with tracheostomies are discharging into the community with increased frequency, challenging medical/rehab staff to provide highly skilled care for a fragile population. This course is designed to create a knowledge base for providers working with clients with tracheostomies and will provide a detailed review of decisions around initial placement of a trach, basics of […]
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Alternative Nutrition and Hydration: Evidence and Ethical Considerations

January 17, 2022 by Megan Berg.
We will review the evidence base of alternative nutrition and hydration for patients who have survived a stroke or brain injury, live with a neuro-degenerative disease, are in a persistent vegetative state, and/or have dysphagia, advanced dementia, advanced cancer or organ failure, and/or head and neck cancer. Relevant case studies from the Center for Practical […]
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How Can Speech-Language Pathologists Think About Sensation During Swallowing Evaluation and Intervention (2021)

January 14, 2022 by Megan Berg.
In graduate school, dysphagia is taught to include the four stages of swallowing: preparatory, oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal. The oral preparatory stage begins when the food or liquids are placed in front of us. The anticipatory stage of swallowing is an additional consideration because it includes the person’s environmental factors necessary for the eating process. […]
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Recommendations of Nasogastric Tube Removal in Acute Stroke Patients Based on Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (2017)

January 14, 2022 by Megan Berg.
Dysphagia occurs in about 27% to 67% of patients after an acute stroke. Evaluation and treatment of dysphagia are important to prevent aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition, which reduce the person’s quality of life. Those patients with aspiration are seven times more likely to develop aspiration pneumonia than those without aspiration. It is common for NGT […]
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Decreased Swallowing Function in the Sarcopenic Elderly without Clinical Dysphagia: A Cross-Sectional Study (2020)

January 13, 2022 by Megan Berg.
As the body ages, the skeletal muscle system decreases with strength and functionality, called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is currently determined by low muscle mass and strength, assessed with handgrip strength and gait speed. Some studies have shown sarcopenia may also affect swallowing strength, causing swallowing safety concerns. The swallowing function receives continuous and coordination feedback from […]
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