Respiratory Tx Consults

[YYWX63E@prodigy.com (T JONES)]

I realize it has been a few days since the original letter was 
written, but I thought I would reply anyway.
I am a CF-SLP in an SNF and we have RT's there who are great.  I have 
gotten into the habit of telling them every time I pick-up a patient 
for dysphagia therapy.  They have been great when it comes to 
monitoring the patient's breath sounds etc.  They do this as a favor 
to me on a screening basis so there is no charge to the patient or 
the facility.  I also inform them of Modified Barium Swallow studies 
and the results of the studies.  They have always just continued to 
monitor someone as usual, even after I report that the patient 
aspirated during the MBS.  But at least they are aware that a patient 
MAY aspirate and the RTs could potentially be the ones who recognize 
the the patient may have gotten pneumonia.

I was fortunate enough to have a Veteran's Administration traineeship 
as a student and the RT's in the Med Center were informed of the 
results of the MBS, but never really seemed overly concerned 
regarding aspiration, especially if the patient could clear the 
airway adequately.  We never gave patient's a large amount of a bolus 
to cause any difficulties.  We also had pre- and post-study CXR's 
performed and "okayed" by the radiologist.

Lynn Jones, MS  CF/SLP  (At least until April)