Gina Thomas, M.S. CCC-SLP: No financial or non-financial relationships to disclose
Abstract: Many SLPs work with medically complex patients. It is often difficult for the SLP to assess if a patient's pneumonia is related to aspiration due to dysphagia or another type of comorbidity- such as a cardiac condition impacting lung health. It is imperative for SLPs to have a basic knowledge of common, basic cardiac conditions and how their characteristics can impact pulmonary function vs. characteristics of aspiration pneumonia in how to best triage and manage patients that have been referred for dysphagia management.
Summary of Presentation : This presentation will focus on common, basic cardiac conditions and how they can impact lung health and lead to the development of pneumonia. It will show SLPs how to utilize a chart review to understand cardiac conditions and chest x-ray findings to help manage and triage patients who are often confused with aspiration pneumonia, which leads to altered diets or dysphagia management that may not be necessary given their cardiac condition which is impacting lung health.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
Upon completion, the participant will be able to list 3 cardiac conditions that are common comorbidities in acutely ill patients which impact lung health.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to explain terminology on a chest x-ray reading that could be true of both aspiration pneumonia and pneumonia contributing from a cardiac condition.
Upon completion, the participant will be able to describe how cardiac conditions can impact lung health and often be confused for possible aspiration pneumonia.