TOPICS IN THE DELIVERY OF SWALLOWING SERVICES

Course overview

The presenters are a clinical dietitian and a speech-language pathologist. This course will include issues related to the clinical swallowing evaluation, a demonstration of a clinical swallowing evaluation, criteria for recommending an instrumental evaluation, the role of the speech pathologist in identifying and evaluating esophageal disorders, life saving and end of life issues related to swallowing, artificial means of nutrition and achieving oral intake and hydration in those with dementia, and integration of the swallowing program into a context of nutrition services in an acute care hospital setting. Discussion of the use of rigid vs. dynamic evaluation protocols in light of the cognitive functioning of the patient will be included. Objective Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: Describe a clinical swallowing evaluation along with the pros and cons of this diagnostic procedure. Discuss effective diagnostic and intervention strategies in the following clinical topic areas: - esophageal disorders, - alternative means of nutrition and hydration in people with dementia and dysphagia,, - comfort care vs. life saving intervention strategies for those with dysphagia, - clinical screening vs. clinical diagnostic evaluation, and - criteria for requesting an instrumental evaluation. Apply a model of collaboration between the speech-language pathologist and clinical dietitian to achieve the best nutritional outcomes. Describe a method of performance improvement to ensure accuracy in the preparation of dysphagia diets.