ASHA Learning Pass

Instrumental exams can provide crucial information necessary to manage dysphagia in adults. SLPs need to combine their understanding of physiology with multiple related factors to determine if an instrumental exam is needed, which exam is indicated, when it is needed, and why. Then they must use effective communication and documentation to explain the rationale for recommendations and findings to the patient, family, and other team members. In addition, SLPs need to ensure effective collaboration between the professional who performs the instrumental exam and the treating SLP. In this course, you’ll learn to address the many important factors and improve collaboration, communication, and documentation as you apply information obtained through instrumental exams.

Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:

• Analyze pertinent related factors when determining if, when, and why an instrumental exam is needed
• Document and communicate the rationale for recommendations to the patient, family, and other team members
• Document and communicate findings from an instrumental exam to the patient, family, and other team members
• Apply information gained from instrumental exams to management of dysphagia

Presenter Information

Nancy B. Swigert, MA, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is president of Swigert & Associates. Before retiring from clinical practice, she was the director of Speech-Language Pathology and Respiratory Care at Baptist Health at their acute care facility in Lexington, Kentucky. Prior to that, she had a private practice for 25 years. She has been a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders for 20 years. She teaches and writes in the areas of pediatric and adult dysphagia. The 4th edition of The Source for Dysphagia (ProEd) was released in 2019, and the 3rd edition of The Source for Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing was released in fall 2022. She serves on the Medical Advisory Board for the National Foundation on Swallowing Disorders. She is a Volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer's Association. She chaired the ASHA Health Care Economics Committee for 6 years, ASHA’s Special Interest Group on Swallowing for 3 years, and the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders for 3 years. She served as president of ASHA in 1998 and of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation 2004-2005. She received her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She received the Honors of ASHA in 2015 and is a life member.

Disclosures:

• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation
• Royalties from ProEd 
• Medical Advisory Board for National Foundation on Swallowing Disorders

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete and submit the learning assessment by the end date below.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: February 13, 2025
End date: March 20, 2030

This course is offered for 0.25 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).