October 2019 Newsletter
Fall!
October gave a party. The leaves by the hundreds came. The Ashes, Oaks, and the Maples. And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread the carpet. And everything was good. Miss Weather led the dancing. Professor Wind, the band...George Cooper.
SOS Conference
Thank you Rehab Synergies for hosting the conference last month and for the great lunch! We appreciate your kindness and support over the years!
We had such a great turn out and had a fun 6 hours with everyone inside on a hot summer day!! Pam and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful evaluation scores and amazing comments! Makin’ a couple of ole girls feel good! ☺ I look forward to next time we all get together again!
The University of St. Augustine
I wanted to give a shout out to all of the staff and the students at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Center for Innovative Clinical Practice. I was invited to speak last month on Modified Barium Swallow Studies at their Austin campus. Professional Imaging (PI) teamed up with me and provided their mobile unit for me to use so the students could have some hands-on experience. Thank you, PI, Dr. Ronnie, and Bruce! It was a great group of students, enjoyed the time I had with them! Looking forward to the University of St. Augustine opening their speech program in Dallas soon!
Prepare for November CE
ASHA annual convention in Orlando, Florida on November 21 - 23, stop by and visit the Ampcare booth
No pictures or video recording on DiagnosTEX van, this includes any use of smartphones or social media (Snap chat, Instagram, etc.)
In this age of technology, DiagnosTEX must take a very hard stance on this policy. Please keep all cell phones in a purse, pocket, or in a lap during the time on the van and during the evaluation. If anyone needs to talk on the phone, please step off the mobile clinic. If you or a family member are using it, you/they may be asked to put it away if there is a question/concern on whether a recording or a picture is being taken. If anyone refuses, they will be asked to exit the mobile clinic or the study will not be completed due to a breach of privacy, confidentiality, and team-based care purposes.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact our main office.
FLU season – We ask that if you or a family member or even the patient is ill with an active cough, sneezing, and/or fever that you do not attend the MBSS on the mobile clinic or reschedule the patient, as we do not want to contaminate our small area. We see many fragile individuals in a day in this small environment and also our staff is small and their absence is greatly felt if they become ill. Please be considerate during this flu season and refrain from being on the van if you or a family member does not feel well. If the patient is ill, please reschedule for another day. Thank you!
Patient Respiratory Stability - Also if you are bringing a patient out on O2, please check the O2 tank and the patient's O2 sats prior to bringing them to our van. If the tank is low and 02 sats are low, or vitals are unstable in any way, we will return them to the facility and reschedule for another day.
Patient Oral Care
As dysphagia treating SLP, we are very sensitive about oral care. If a patient comes out to the van with profoundly reduced oral care such as dried and crusted oral mucus along the tongue base, palate, and gum line, we will return the patient to the facility, notify staff and reschedule for another day. We will not administer food or barium when oral hygiene is so poor.
Health Awareness for the month of October
Healthy Lung Month
National Physical Therapy Month – Thank a PT!
Gourmet Pureed - Delicious, Nutritious and Convenient and AFFORDABLE ( $7.99)
For anyone who has patients at home on a puree diet, you MUST check this out! Gourmet Puree meals are made fresh and remain fresh in the refrigerator for 14 days. No need to freeze. All orders will receive 1 free meal when ordering through Customer Service Toll-Free 1-866-971-6667. Go to www.GourmetPureed.com for more information.
Alzheimer’s walk
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease! While there is no fee to register, we encourage participants to fundraise in order to contribute to the cause and raise awareness. Take the first step by finding a Walk near you. Once you register, you will have access to a wide range of tools and support through your customized Participant Center. Join us and lead the way to Alzheimer's first survivor. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s disease! If you would like to donate go to www.alz.org and find my team Heels of Hope! Every dollar we raise benefits those affected by Alzheimer's disease in your community.
NE Tarrant County Walk
Church at the Cross
3000 William D. Tate Ave., Grapevine, TX 76051
Registration at 8 am
Ceremony at 9 am
Walk at 9:30 am