March 2023 Pediatrics Newsletter
Hi all! My name is Ashley Stone. I have worked primarily in pediatric hospitals for more than 8 years treating patients & completing MBSS. I graduated from Baylor University (Sic ‘Em) with my Bachelor of Science and from the University of Texas at Dallas with my Master of Science in Communication Disorders. I look forward to getting to know you and your patients!
Open House: We hosted our first Open House on February 9th to give us an opportunity to meet other professionals in the area and to provide an opportunity to tour our clinic. Thank you to all those who attended! We know that you are all working hard and sacrificing your evening to spend with us was very appreciated!
If you were unable to attend and would like to see our clinic, please email me at ashley@diagnostex.us. I would love the opportunity to meet you!
Pediatric Modified Barium Swallow Studies: Our outpatient clinic is now open every Friday for pediatric patients of all ages! We have supported seating devices for those that are in need.
I have experience conducting swallow studies with patients of all ages and varying medical conditions. I have previously worked with dysphagia in the NICU setting, acute care setting, inpatient rehab, and with babies/children that are tracheostomy/ventilator dependent.
We completed our first pediatric swallow studies on February 10th! Thank you to the therapists at Therapy 2000 and Monkey Mouths for the referrals and trusting us with the care of your patients.
Do you have a family or patient that may be anxious about getting a swallow study done? I invite them to schedule a time to visit the clinic, prior
to their appointment, in attempt to ease any discomfort. The fluoroscopy suite will be set up exactly as it would be the day of the appointment. Please reach out to me if this is something they are interested in!
How do I know when my patient needs an MBSS?
A child may need a swallow study if:
- They are showing clinical signs of aspiration
|
Temperature spikes following a feeding |
Coughing during meals |
- You are looking to advance their diet
- The child has a history of silent aspiration
- Their has been a decline in the child’s respiratory or cognitive status
- You suspect aspiration at any point in time
If there is ever any doubt whether you think your patient is a good candidate, please reach out to me. I am more than happy to discuss their case with you, as long as it is a HIPPA compliant conversation.
Other Professionals: Do you know a professional (SLP/MD/Social Worker, etc) that might find our services and/or this newsletter beneficial? Please email me with their contact information. I would love to add them to our known contact list.
Patient Referrals: When you are ready to make a referral, please call our office at 817.514.6271. You can locate all of the required paperwork on our website at www.dysphagiadiagnostex.com. We can also email or fax the required paperwork, if necessary. We are always available Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm, to answer any questions you may have! If you are unsure if a patient is appropriate, please email me directly at ashley@diagnostex.usor info@diagnostex.us, and we will be more than happy to answer any and all questions!
I, and the rest of the DiagnosTEX staff, look forward to helping you serve your patients and ensure a safe diet for ALL children.
Keep an eye out for a newsletter each month!