June 2024 Pediatric Newsletter
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”
Referrals
In order to schedule an appointment, we require the following from a referring physician:
- A SIGNED order requesting a “Modified Barium Swallow Study” or a “Swallow Function Study.” The physicians can write their own or find one on our website under the ‘Pediatrics’ tab.
- Demographic sheet with insurance information
- Their latest clinical notes to provide a thorough history
These documents can be faxed to 888-920-1201 or emailed to info@diagnostex.us.
Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions regarding this process.
New Partnership
DiagnosTEX has partnered with Patheous Health and will continue serving our community to meet their adult, geriatric, and pediatric dysphagia instrumental needs.
“Patheous Health, Inc., announces the acquisition of DiagnosTEX, LLC, as the leading modified-barium swallow (“MBS”) dysphagia imaging provider in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas area, to provide all options in dysphagia instrumental evaluation. The same quality DTEX mobile MBSS with same dedicated staff, are partnering with Patheous Health to now offer both onsite MBSS and FEES dysphagia imaging services for skilled nursing facilities, home health patients, as well as outpatient MBS adult and pediatric imaging in the DFW market and surrounding areas. Joining forces marks a significant milestone for both companies. Together we will continue to enhance and provide quality instrumental dysphagia services for adult and geriatric clients and also accelerate pediatric the pediatric program. Adding DFW Texas, Patheous Health service area now covers eighteen states and is the largest onsite dysphagia imaging provider in the U.S.”
Click here to see the full press release!
Dysphagia Awareness Month
*CFE – Clinical Feeding Exam
*VFSS - Videofluoroscopy Swallow Study
Pay close attention to the number of patients that had Abnormal VFSS but no Clinical Feeding Exam. Now, did they not have a CFE because they were uncooperative but there was enough to warrant a VFSS? Or did the physician want to order a VFSS before he/she wanted a CFE? Who knows! Also, take note of the percentage of Abnormal VFSS Results for patients who had Normal CFE! These two facts lend towards the importance of an instrumental evaluation with any concern, no matter how small the concern. It is always better to be safe and ensure a safe and progressive feeding plan for a child than be worried about anything else (i.e. radiation exposure, inconvenience of another appt, etc). Spread the word on social media using the #dysphagiaawareness!
I really encourage you to read this full article:
Reference: Duncan DR, Mitchell PD, Larson K, Rosen RL. Presenting Signs and Symptoms do not Predict Aspiration Risk in Children. J Pediatr. 2018 Oct;201:141-146. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.05.030. Epub 2018 Jun 28. PMID: 29960768; PMCID: PMC6412137.
New SLP!
We are so pleased to welcome Anna Matthews M.S. CF-SLP to our team! Anna comes to us from the home health setting and has an enthusiastic spirit to learn anything and everything surrounding adult and pediatric dysphagia. She will be training to complete adult MBSS on our mobile clinics over the next few months!
Ampcare
Have you heard about AmpCare and want to become a certified user? They offer In-person certification courses, as well as a hybrid option. They have the following dates available for certification:
- Live, In Person: No classes offered locally this month
- Hybrid & Zoom: June 24th – 25th from 3pm-5pm. Must attend both days.
Visit swallowtherapy.com for more information!
Are you an Ampcare Certified User working with pediatrics and looking for support? I know a few therapists that are happy to discuss cases (HIPAA compliant) and offer any guidance or support. Please let me know and I am happy to pass along your contact information to them.
In-Services
Do you have a team of therapists that would like to learn more about Modified Barium Swallow Studies? I would love to prepare a presentation for your team, complete with videos, to educate them on deficits and how that applies to the therapy they are implementing each week. Please reach out if that is something you are interested in.
Contribution
Do you have an interesting topic that you would like to share in a newsletter, whether it be a research article you have read or a patient you have treated? Email me if you are interested!
I, and the rest of the DiagnosTEX staff, look forward to helping you serve your patients and ensure a safe diet for ALL children.
Ashley Stone, M.S. CCC-SLP
Pediatric Program Manager
ashley@diagnostex.us; 817.514.6271
Important dates to Remember:
- Dysphagia Awareness Month
- Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
- June 6 – D-Day
- June 14 – Flag Day; U.S. Army Birthday
*Fly your flag high and proud* - June 16 – Father’s Day
*Love on all the fathers and father figures in your life* - June 20 – Summer Solstice