Videofluoroscopy Part 5: Evaluation of Swallowing Safety
Presented by Catriona Steele
Nonfinancial: Catriona Steele is a member of the board of directors for the Dysphagia Research Society and International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI). She is an associate editor of the Dysphagia journal and is an editorial board member for the Journal of Texture Studies. She has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is an important tool for speech-language pathologists to leverage during assessment and treatment planning for people experiencing dysphagia. However, a lack of standardized VFSS practice currently exists, and many clinicians lack knowledge regarding best practice. In this course, we review the 8-point Penetration-Aspiration Scale and how it should be used to rate swallowing safety.
Meet your instructor
Catriona Steele
Dr. Catriona M. Steele is the director of the Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. She also teaches in the graduate department of speech-language pathology at the University of Toronto. Prior to completing her PhD, Dr. Steele worked as a medical speech-language pathologist for…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction to the 8-Point Penetration-Aspiration Scale
Although the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) is widely used, clinicians may be unfamiliar with its properties. In this chapter, we will describe the scale and its development and discuss its properties. We will explain why decimal places have no meaning on the scale.
2. More About the Penetration-Aspiration Scale: Which Scores Are Normal, and Which Ones Are Rare?
In this chapter, we will discuss which scores on the 8-point Penetration-Aspiration Scale are expected in healthy people and which scores are rarely seen in both healthy people and patients with dysphagia.
3. How Variable Is Penetration/Aspiration?
Individuals who demonstrate penetration or aspiration do not necessarily do so consistently across repeated boluses of the same texture. In this chapter, we will explore what is known about the frequency and variability of penetration-aspiration events within individual patients with dysphagia and discuss the implications of this information for summarizing the results of an assessment in terms of swallowing safety.
More courses in this series
Videofluoroscopy Part 1: Indicators for the Exam
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 2: How to Design the Exam
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 3: Contrast Media
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 4: Equipment and Pulse Rate
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 5: Evaluation of Swallowing Safety
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 6: Evaluation of Swallowing Efficiency
Catriona Steele
Videofluoroscopy Part 7: Using Videofluoroscopy for Treatment Planning
Catriona Steele
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