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Issue Focus: Clinical Issues in Health Care
Headlines | Featured Question | Continuing Education | Shop Online
Welcome to Access SLP Health Care, a bimonthly e-newsletter that addresses the specific needs of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in health care. If you have not already subscribed, send a blank e-mail with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to: Access-SLPhealthcare-request@lists.asha.org. If you know of any colleagues who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward this e-mail.
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We hope you find Access SLP Health Care informative, practical, and easy to use. Check out the information, resources, services and education opportunities you need to help you succeed. ASHA—working to keep you connected.
If there are topics you'd like to see featured, send an e-mail AccessSLP@asha.org.
Headlines
- What is Telepractice and How Is It Being Used in Speech-Language Pathology?
Telepractice is "the application of telecommunications technology to delivery of professional services at a distance by linking clinician to client, or clinician to clinician, for assessment, intervention, and/or consultation." Learn more about ASHA's view of telepractice and how it is being applied in the field of speech-language pathology.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communication Resources from ASHA
ASHA has many resources available about augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Read ASHA policy documents, access ASHA Leader articles and consumer information, and connect to other organizations that work in the area of AAC.
- New Documents on Autism Available
Read newly approved documents from the Ad Hoc Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorders about the role of the SLP in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
- Information and Resources for SLPs Working With Individuals With Dementia
Access recently developed documents about the role of the SLP in working with individuals with dementia-related communication disorders, as well as other articles and information about dementia.
- SLP Advocate
Up-to-date information about federal and state regulations, legislation, and reimbursement is available on the ASHA Web site or in your e-mail box. Read more about what is happening now in health care and how you can sign up for this important resource.
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Featured Question
I work in a skilled nursing facility and have recommended that one of my patients with advanced dementia not eat orally because she is not eating enough and is at high risk for aspiration. The family has refused a feeding tube. Should I remove myself from this case?
This is a common scenario faced by SLPs who work with medically complex patients, particularly those nearing end of life. An SLP asked to evaluate a patient is being asked to give a professional, clinical opinion about the best course for that particular patient and make appropriate recommendations. A patient with decision-making capacity, or the family or other established decision-maker, has the right to accept or refuse such recommendations. If the SLP believes that there is something to offer in the way of suggestions for how to safely eat orally, it is in the best interest of the patient to offer such suggestions. If, however, the SLP can suggest nothing that may help the patient eat more safely, the SLP may have to discontinue services, but should be available in the event that there is a change in status or the patient or family would like to discuss the situation further. In any case, careful documentation of evaluation results, observations, recommendations, discussions with the patient, family, and staff, etc. is very important and will be the clinician's best reference in the event that the SLP is questioned about recommendations and participation in the case.
ASHA has a number of articles and resources that discuss approaches to these complex clinical and ethical issues:
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Continuing Education
Celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month in May!
Find everything you need for your event, including signage, apparel, children's activities, giveaway items and more.
Get Discovered!
Sign Up For ProSearch - ASHA's Free Referral Service
Want to meet you patient needs more effectively? ProSearch, ASHA's online directory of audiology and speech-language pathology programs, helps consumers find quality services from programs from more than 7,400 programs that employ ASHA-certified SLPs and audiologists.
Graduate Student Membership Discount Program Expanded!
Are you an ASHA member currently pursuing, or considering returning to school to pursue a graduate or professional degree? If you are a full-time or part-time student pursuing a degree in CSD (or a related field) at a regionally accredited institution, you are now eligible to receive ASHA's Graduate Student membership dues discount for 2007 and beyond!
Register Online today for the Graduate School Fair
Graduate School Fair Exhibitor Registration is now open for the ASHA Convention in Miami, FL, Nov. 16 & 17, 2006.
Award Programs for Students and New Faculty
ASHA's current award programs are available to undergraduate, masters, AuD and PhD students enrolled in CSD programs; postdoctoral fellows and new faculty. They are designed to foster leadership and promote careers in academia and research.
ASHA's Public Relations Campaign A Huge Success!
Since mid-December 2005, ASHA Public Relations has mounted an aggressive public awareness campaign on the potential link between the usage of some popular technology devices that provide audio through ear buds or earphones-like Apple's iPod, other MP3 players, and portable DVD players-and hearing loss.
ASHA will soon introduce the "Buds"-two little cartoon ear bud characters-which will be featured on free bookmarks, banners, posters, and screensavers for members to use in their outreach efforts for Better Hearing and Speech Month. The "Listen to Your Buds" theme will be aimed at children ages 5-10 and encourage them to listen safely. Visit the ASHA website for further information about this new campaign and associated products, including free downloadables.
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Products for Your Practice
Learn more about the products ASHA has developed, including handouts, posters and brochures, to help you educate consumers about communication disorders and the role of speech-language pathologists.
Subscribe to E-mail alerts for journals
Take advantage of an ASHA member benefit! Receive an e-mail alert when new issues of each of the four ASHA journals are posted on the Web.
The next issue of Access SLP Health Care will be posted in July 2006.
ASHA Research (a Member benefit) | ASHA Journals | Coding & Reimbursement (a Member benefit) | SLPs in Health Care (a Member benefit) | Office of Multicultural Affairs | Special Interest Divisions
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