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Issue Focus: Cross-Training
New Features | Breaking News | What's New on ASHA.org | Featured Question
For Your Professional Development | Summer Sale | Announcements
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.
New Features!
Here is your chance to share your expertise and experiences with your colleagues. Access SLP Health Care is soliciting stories from subscribers for two new features:
Treatment Tips
Tell us what is working for you and improving your treatment. Do you use an old tool in a new way? Have you streamlined your documentation? Are you able to manage cancellations and no-shows in your facility? Share what works for you with us!
This month's tip comes from Nancy Swigert, CCC-SLP, President of Swigert and Associates, Inc., Lexington, KY.
Are you tired of writing the same thing over and over again in your reports? We developed what we call "standard paragraphs" for each of the standardized tests we use on a regular basis. The paragraph describes the purpose of the test and has space to insert the scoring information (e.g. standard score, percentile rank, age equivalent, rating). This standard paragraph can be cut and pasted into a report we are typing, or a hard copy can be printed and the information filled in by hand.
We have taken this a step further and created shell reports for typical types of clients. For example, a report shell for a preschool client might already contain the paragraph for a preschool language test, an articulation test, an oral mechanism exam and hearing screening. The clinician then just types in the background information and fills in the scores. The report is easily completed by writing a one-paragraph summary and adding recommendations. For some of our frequently served types of clients (e.g. voice, dysphagia), we have also created standard goals and treatment objectives that can be cut-pasted into the report. Although it's a little more work to set this up in the beginning, it saves loads of time in the long run!
Survey Survival Stories
Have you recently been through a Joint Commission, CARF, or state survey? Share your experiences and tips for handling issues that arise during the survey process.
This months' story comes from Mary Casper, CCC-SLP, Rehab Systems Consultant for HCR Manor Care.
Over the years of working in long term care, I've experienced literally hundreds of surveys - state/federal surveys and JCAHO surveys. At one point in my career I had a job where I was responsible for conducting "mock" surveys, meaning that I'd go into one of our facilities as if I was a surveyor and judge how prepared (or not) they were for when the actual survey happened. While doing mock surveys preparing the facilities to undergo JCAHO accreditation, I learned about things that the typical SLP has no exposure to, like generator testing, MSDS sheets, "lock out - tag out", and a host of other processes that need to be in place. I would be onsite when the actual JCAHO survey occurred and coach the department heads through their interviews. During one particularly memorable JCAHO survey we experienced severe weather and had to evacuate a 20-bed ventilator unit with no power and a tornado on the way. The surveyors were a great help and quite impressed with our disaster preparedness.
In the state survey process, I have learned that preparation and documentation are two keys to success. The state surveyors determine the sample of what charts they will look at based on trends noted in the Quality Indicators/Quality Measures (QI/QM) reports. The QI/QM report is based on MDS data and available in each facility for analysis. As the interdisciplinary team reviews these reports, they should go to the charts of those residents who have multiple indicators to assure that all medically necessary services are being provided and documented. As speech-language pathologists we can participate in this process by screening residents who have indicators for cognitive loss, weight loss, and even those with pressure ulcers. We should maintain a high level of interaction with those residents "at risk" who may benefit from our services - residents on mechanically altered diets, tube-fed residents, residents with a diagnosis of dementia. SLPs should also review the most recent annual and complaint surveys done at their facility to better understand the issues found.
To submit a story, email accessslp@asha.org. Stories may be edited for length and will be included as space allows. ASHA reserves the right to refuse any story or tip. By submitting a story or tip, you are granting ASHA permission to publish your name in this electronic newsletter.
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Breaking News!
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Did you know about the Registry of Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines on ASHA's Web site?
As part of ASHA's dedication to evidence-based practice, the Registry of EBP Guidelines and Systematic Reviews was developed to help you find the evidence to support your practice. Guidelines and reviews are listed alphabetically by topic and include title, authors, date, the AGREE rating, a brief description, and instructions on how to access the full report.
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Featured Question - Cross-training
I have heard that ASHA has changed its position on training other professionals to provide swallowing services. Is this true?
In March 2006, ASHA's Legislative Council voted to rescind the position statement entitled "Speech-Language Pathologists Training and Supervising Other Professionals in the Delivery of Services to Individuals with Swallowing and Feeding Disorders." There are a number of reasons that this action occurred, which are summarized and explained on ASHA's Web site.
Despite the vote to rescind this particular position statement, there has been no change in ASHA's stance on cross-training in the area of swallowing or any other area of practice. ASHA documents still support the same position opposing cross-training of clinical skills and asserting the role of speech-language pathologists in the assessment and treatment of speech, language, cognitive-communication, and swallowing disorders. These documents include:
In addition, there are many documents and resources that support the role of the SLP in many areas of practice. These documents are all included in the speech-language pathology section of ASHA's Web site. The ASHA Preferred Practice Patterns for the Profession of Speech-Language Pathology and Scope of Practice in Speech-Language Pathology further support the vital role that SLPs have in the management of speech, language, and related disorders.
Read the May 23, 2006, ASHA Leader article about cross-training.
Discuss the featured question in the ASHA forums.
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For Your Professional development
Evidence-Based Practice in TBI: Assessment and Intervention for Cognitive-Communication Disorders (Telephone Seminar)
Addressing the Communication Needs of Persons With Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (Audio Self-Study)
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ASHA's Summer Sale Spectacular is going on now!
Now is your chance to save 10% on selected items now thru July 31! Visit the summer sale to see the wide variety of products that are now on sale.
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Announcements
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.
Watch your mailbox for the ASHA 2006 election ballot!
Voting begins August 1 and ends September 9.
Have you ever taught or supervised students?
Check out Teaching Tools, a new resource that includes articles, information, and resources on academic and clinical teaching and teaching with technology.
Interested in AAC?
Please join Division 12 (DAAC) and the AAC-RERC for an exploratory meeting in Miami. This meeting will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 7 -9 pm (location TBA). For questions or additional information, please contact Carole Zangari (zangaric@nova.edu) or David Beukelman (dbeukelman1@unl.edu).
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.
Access SLP Health Care e-newsletter survey coming in September!
Be sure to complete the brief email survey to provide valuable information that will help make this newsletter even better.
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Received this from a friend? Why wait? Subscribe today by sending a blank email with the word "subscribe" in the subject line to Access-SLPhealthcare-request@lists.asha.org.
Watch for the next issue of Access SLP Health Care in September.
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