New Resources to Share
Even though I have been a medically-based SLP for my whole career, there is something about fall that always makes me get in that back-to-school mode. I want new scrubs, maybe a new pen or two… and I am on the lookout for new educational resources. It’s good timing, since this helps me get in a few extra CEs before the end of the year without the last minute stress that sometimes hits in early December.
So this month, I found a few new resources to share with you. Some are from familiar names, but others are brand new and have the potential to become a “go-to.” Check them out below! As always, please let me know what you think – I always enjoy hearing from you and it helps give me ideas for next month!
ASHA’s Dysphagia On-The-Job Resource Center has been around for about a year and a half, but I have to admit that this was a brand new find for me. It’s a collection of resources for clinicians working in dysphagia that have been pulled into one place on the ASHA website. It includes templates for a smooth patient “handoff” between the SLP recommending and the SLP conducting an instrumental assessment (with a pediatric and an adult version), handouts on why SLPs are the experts on dysphagia to share with colleagues/patients/caregivers, and many other resources to help you in your practice.
I know I have mentioned STEP Community before, but the addition of BABY STEP was a fun find. It is a great foundational course in pediatric feeding and swallowing disorders (PFDs). It’s self-paced and available for 0.4 ASHA CEs at an incredible price. The lectures are clear, the flow is great, and (like everything else from Dr. Ianessa Humbert) the visuals are spectacular and engaging.
A really great hidden gem is the University of Michigan Dysphagia Grand Rounds. Held virtually, these talks always hit the “sweet spot” of high level enough for the experienced clinician, but not so complex that it’s not relevant to your day-to-day practice. They are very low-cost and available for ASHA CEs. To get an example, check out this link to their April session “Imaging with Purpose: Translating Standardized Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies into Person-Centered Care for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” with Melissa Farrow, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S. Dysphagia Grand Rounds are (voluntarily!!) organized by U of M SLPs Sarah Russell and Kate McConville and you can sign up for notifications of upcoming courses here.
Hope this gets your fall off to a good start! Let know which one was helpful?!
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INDICATIONS AND USAGE | IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
For Oral Administration. This product should not be used in patients with known or suspected perforation of the GI tract, known obstruction of the GI tract, high risk of aspiration, or hypersensitivity to barium sulfate products. Rarely, severe allergic reactions of anaphylactoid nature have been reported following administration of barium sulfate contrast agents.
VARIBAR® (barium sulfate)
INDICATIONS
VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension, VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension, and VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) oral suspension are radiographic contrast agents indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients.
VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension and VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste are radiographic contrast agents indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
These products should not be used in patients with known or suspected perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; known obstruction of the GI tract; high risk of GI perforation such as those with a recent GI perforation, acute GI hemorrhage or ischemia, toxic megacolon, severe ileus, post GI surgery or biopsy, acute GI injury or burn, or recent radiotherapy to the pelvis; high risk of aspiration such as those with known or suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula or obtundation; known severe hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of the product used.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity Reactions Barium sulfate preparations contain a number of excipients, including natural and artificial flavors, and may induce serious hypersensitivity reactions. The manifestations include hypotension, bronchospasm and other respiratory impairments, and dermal reactions including rashes, urticaria, and itching. A history of bronchial asthma, atopy, food allergies, or a previous reaction to a contrast agent may increase the risk for hypersensitivity reactions. Emergency equipment and trained personnel should be immediately available for treatment of a hypersensitivity reaction.
Intra-abdominal Barium Leakage The use of VARIBAR PRODUCTS is contraindicated in patients at high risk of perforation of the GI tract. Administration of VARIBAR PRODUCTS may result in leakage of barium from the GI tract in the presence of conditions such as carcinomas, GI fistula, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, appendicitis, or diverticulitis, and in patients with a severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, especially if it is distal to the stomach. The barium leakage has been associated with peritonitis and granuloma formation.
Delayed Gastrointestinal Transit and Obstruction Orally administered barium sulfate may accumulate proximal to a constricting lesion of the colon, causing obstruction or impaction with development of baroliths (inspissated barium associated with feces) and may lead to abdominal pain, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, or rarely perforation. Patients with the following conditions are at higher risk for developing obstruction or baroliths: severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, impaired GI motility, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, on a low residue diet, taking medications that delay GI motility, constipation, pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease, and the elderly. To reduce the risk of delayed GI transit and obstruction, patients should maintain adequate hydration after the barium sulfate procedure. When administering VARIBAR PUDDING, consider the administration of laxatives.
Aspiration Pneumonitis The use of VARIBAR PRODUCTS is contraindicated in patients with trachea-esophageal fistula. Oral administration of barium is associated with aspiration pneumonitis, especially in patients with a history of food aspiration or with compromised swallowing mechanism. Vomiting following oral administration of barium sulfate may lead to aspiration pneumonitis. In patients at risk for aspiration, begin the procedure with a small ingested volume of VARIBAR PRODUCTS. Monitor the patient closely for aspiration, discontinue administration of VARIBAR PRODUCTS if aspiration is suspected, and monitor for development of aspiration pneumonitis.
Systemic Embolization Barium sulfate products may occasionally intravasate into the venous drainage of the GI tract and enter the circulation as a "barium embolus" leading to potentially fatal complications which include systemic and pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septicemia and prolonged severe hypotension. Although this complication is exceedingly uncommon after oral administration of a barium sulfate suspension, monitor patients for potential intravasation when administering barium sulfate.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Serious adverse reactions and fatalities include aspiration pneumonitis, barium sulfate impaction, intestinal perforation with consequent peritonitis and granuloma formation, vasovagal and syncopal episodes.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste.
VARIBAR is manufactured by E-Z-EM Canada Inc., for E-Z-EM, Inc., a subsidiary of Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Princeton, NJ 08540.
VARIBAR is a registered trademark of E-Z-EM, Inc.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE | IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use in cases of known or suspected esophageal obstruction or to dislodge foreign bodies. Do not use more than the maximum recommended dosage in 24‐hour period. Do not use the maximum dosage of this product for more than two weeks, except under the advice and supervision of a physician.
Talk Soon,
US-VARH-2500014 12/25