An Interdisciplinary Approach to Managing Dysphagia

Course Code: REL-PAC-0-IAMD

Hours: 1

Type: Online Course

Content Expiration Date: 2/28/2025

Learning Objectives:
Recognize the causes, signs, and symptoms of dysphagia.
Identify the approaches to manage dysphagia.
Determine the roles and responsibilities of each team member involved in caring for an individual with dysphagia.

Outline:

Section 1: Introduction

About This Course

Learning Objectives

Section 2: Swallowing Basics

Terms to Know

Anatomy of the Swallow

Physiology of the Swallow

Neural Control

Review

Summary

Section 3: Identifying Dysphagia

Causes and Consequences of Dysphagia

Dysphagia Screening

Water Swallow Test

Signs and Symptoms of Dysphagia

Nursing Assessment

Swallow Evaluation

Instrumental Assessments

Review

Summary

Section 4: Management of Dysphagia

Goal of Dysphagia Treatment

Diet Modifications

Thickened Liquids

Associated Risks

Free Water Protocol

Compensatory Techniques

Importance of Oral Care

Other Treatments

Outcomes Measures

Review

Summary

Section 5: The Interdisciplinary Team

The Goals of the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT)

The Team Members

Review

Summary

Section 6: Conclusion

Course Summary

Course Contributor

Resources

References

Congratulations!

Expert Reviewer: Mitzi A. Kweder, MS/CCC-SLP

Mitzi A. Kweder, MS/CCC-SLP, has been a speech-language pathologist since 1996. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech-language pathology in New York. She has experience in several settings with both pediatrics and geriatrics but spent most of her recent career in the director role in skilled nursing facilities. During that time, she also directed affiliated home health and outpatient operations. Currently, she is the Director of Quality and Standards with AdvantageCare Rehabilitation. In this position, she oversees clinical and operations standards in order to maintain and improve quality of care delivery. She also plays an active role in denials, policy, and compliance processes to promote adherence to laws and regulations of several bodies governing healthcare. She is a certified member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Target Audience:
The target audience for this course is: Introductory level Occupational Therapist; Introductory level Speech Language Pathologists; in the following settings: Rehabilitation Settings.

Relias Learning will be transparent in disclosing if any commercial support, sponsorship or co-providership is present prior to the learner completing the course.

Relias Learning has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias Learning will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias Learning at support@reliaslearning.com.

All courses offered by Relias Learning, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.

To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.

Course Delivery Method and Format
Asynchronous Distance Learning with interactivity which includes quizzes with questions/answers, and posttests.