This session shares preferred practices for selecting, conducting, and interpreting instrumental swallow exams. The speaker discusses strengths and limitations of different instrumental exams, along with clinical applications to promote more accurate dysphagia diagnosis, targeted treatment planning, and positive patient outcomes. The session includes tips for critical thinking and current evidence supporting the use of instrumental exams to optimize the safety and quality of life of those living with swallowing disorders.

This course is a recorded session from the 2022 online conference “Controversies and Consensus in Dysphagia Management.”

Learning Outcomes
After completing this session, you will be able to:

• List three or more benefits of using instrumental exams in the assessment of swallowing disorders
• Identify key differences between FEES and MBSS instrumental swallowing exams
• Describe how to plan dysphagia intervention based on physiological findings during instrumental swallow exams
• List ways to advocate for the use of instrumental exams for individuals with suspected dysphagia

Contents

• Need for and types of instrumental swallowing assessments
• Strengths and limitations of FEES and MBS studies
• Key considerations and preferred practices in the use of instrumentals
• Resources for competency and advocacy 

Presenter Information

Rinki Varindani Desai, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIS, CDP, is a medical speech-language pathologist, certified brain injury specialist, and dementia practitioner, specializing in the management of swallowing disorders in adults. She is currently the adult outpatient lead and a clinical instuctor in the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in Jackson. She serves as Associate Coordinator of ASHA SIG 13, Co-Chair of the Dysphagia Research Society's COVID-19 Task Force, and is on ASHA's Scientific and Professional Education Board. She is the founder of the Medical SLP Forum Facebook group, co-founder of the Swallowing Training and Education Portal website, and co-creator of the Dysphagia Therapy mobile app. A winner of multiple ASHA ACE awards and alumni of ASHA's Leadership Development and Faculty Development Programs, Rinki has practiced for over a decade in acute, sub-acute, outpatient, and long-term health care settings across India and the United States. She has presented nationally and internationally and published on topics related to adult dysphagia. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling, cooking, and doing what she can to help advance the profession by paying it forward.

Financial Disclosures:

• Salaried employee at University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Financial compensation from ASHA for this presentation

Nonfinancial Disclosures:

• Associate Coordinator for ASHA SIG 13
• Member of ASHA Scientific and Professional Education Board
• Co-chair of Dysphagia Research Society's COVID-19 Task Force
• Co-founder of Swallowing Training and Education Portal

Assessment Type

Self-assessment—Think about what you learned and report on the Completion Form how you will use your new knowledge.

To earn continuing education credit, you must complete the learning assessment by April 30, 2027.

Program History and CE Information

Content origination date: March 2022
End date: April 30, 2027

This course is offered for 0.1 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate level, Professional area).

Related Courses

View all courses from the Controversies and Consensus in Dysphagia Management online conference.