Archives

Aspiration Risk Reduction Protocol

April 30, 2025 by Ashley Zhinin.
This Aspiration Risk Reduction Protocol helps ensure consistent, evidence-based strategies for reducing aspiration risk in hospitalized adults. Designed for SLPs and interdisciplinary teams, this bedside-friendly tool improves collaboration by guiding nurses through initial screening and providing clear, actionable steps for ongoing aspiration management.
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Your Body, Your Choice: Understanding Thickened Liquids and Dysphagia

March 31, 2025 by Ashley Zhinin.
This patient-centered resource empowers individuals with dysphagia to make informed decisions about their care, emphasizing autonomy and quality of life over outdated norms. It provides clear, research-backed information about thickened liquids, hydration, and the importance of honoring patient preferences, making it a perfect tool to spark meaningful, collaborative discussions in therapy.
This content is only available to members.

Feeding Tubes and Aspiration Risk

March 31, 2025 by Ashley Zhinin.
Feeding tubes are often used to address nutritional needs, but they do not eliminate aspiration risk. This evidence-based resource performs double-duty, equipping therapists to educate RNs, MDs, dietitians, and other team members while also helping patients and families understand the complexities of aspiration pneumonia and the importance of identifying its root cause through instrumental swallow studies.
This content is only available to members.

Comprendiendo la neumonía por aspiración y la disfagia

February 28, 2025 by Megan Berg.
Este recurso explica de manera sencilla y accesible la relación entre la salud bucal, la disfagia y la neumonía por aspiración, empoderando a los pacientes y sus familias para que tomen decisiones informadas sobre su atención. Incluye consejos prácticos, consideraciones especiales y estrategias concretas para ayudar a los terapeutas en la educación y orientación de sus clientes.
This content is only available to members.

Understanding Aspiration Pneumonia and Dysphagia

January 31, 2025 by Ashley Zhinin.
This resource explains the connection between oral health, dysphagia, and aspiration pneumonia in a simple, accessible way, empowering patients and families to make informed choices about their care. It includes practical tips, special considerations, and actionable strategies to support therapists in educating and guiding their clients.
This content is only available to members.

Nurturing Oral Care for Children with Dysphagia

October 31, 2024 by Ashley Zhinin.
Oral care is vital in maintaining oral health as well as improving pulmonary outcomes specifically in children who have pharyngeal dysphagia. This resource provides information regarding oral care in children with swallowing deficits.
This content is only available to members.

The Respiratory Defense System

September 1, 2023 by Ashley Zhinin.
This handout explains how the lungs have a natural protection system to remove unwanted particles from the nasal cavity and lungs.
This content is only available to members.

Cough…Is it Strong Enough?

May 1, 2023 by Ashley Zhinin.
This resource explains the physiological process of a cough, how to measure cough strength, and why an adequate peak expiratory flow rate is important.
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Determining the Risk of Aspiration

December 1, 2022 by Ashley Zhinin.
For healthy people, the protective system within the lungs can stay healthy even with trace amounts of aspiration. For people with dysphagia, there are many factors to consider when determining their risk for aspiration. This resource explores these factors.
This content is only available to members.

Yale Swallow Protocol

January 10, 2022 by Megan Berg.
The Yale Swallow Protocol (YSP) is a screening tool for swallowing. The person being screened either passes or fails, identifying individuals who would benefit from a more thorough evaluation of all aspects of swallowing function. This resource provides evidence regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the YSP and provides steps for completion and determination of pass/fail for appropriate recommendations to be made.
This content is only available to members.