The Pulse

This 71-year-old gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization due to COVID-19 with pneumonia, chronic respiratory failure, and exacerbation of asthma. He was weak and required 5 liters per minute of supplemental oxygen. Prior to hospitalization, he lived at home, was independent with all self-care and mobility, and did not use supplemental oxygen.

Foundational Exercises Using OmniFlow^® Breathing Therapy Biofeedback System

According to the CDC, more than 25% of older adults fall each year. Muscle strength and balance decline with aging which can lead to falls and diminished quality of life.

This 83-year-old gentleman was admitted to a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization for a bilateral hemisphere stroke (affecting both sides of the brain). As a result, he developed opharyngeal dysphagia (difficulty chewing and swallowing). He was placed on a modified diet and referred to speech-language pathology services to improve swallowing ability. Prior to his stroke, this gentleman lived alone and consumed a regular diet and drank thin liquids.

Bernadette, Savannah, Brooke

Team Champions
Bernadette Guy, M.S., CCC-SLP, Savannah Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP, and Brooke Hierholzer, M.S., CFY-SLP, comprise the speech-language pathology (SLP) team at Dolphin Pointe Health Care Center in Jacksonville, FL. They have excelled with implementation of OmniME™ (Synchrony Dysphagia Solutions by ACP^® and OmniFlow^® Breathing Therapy Biofeedback System).

Acute and chronic pain are prevalent in the United States and can affect an individual’s mobility, function, and independence. According to the CDC, approximately 20% of the adult population suffers from chronic pain. Opioids including oxycodone, tramadol, and fentanyl are among medications often taken for acute and chronic pain. However, opioids have numerous side-effects, are highly addictive, and can lead to overdose and death. Non-pharmacologic alternatives are recommended to address pain and can play a role during the weaning process from opioids.

Respiratory Muscle Training Research Summaries:

This 53-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) was admitted to a transitional care unit following hospitalization for aspiration pneumonia with sepsis (life-threatening body response to infection). She had severe weakness and oropharyngeal dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). As a result, she was referred for rehabilitation services including speech therapy to improve her swallow function. This woman has a history of dysphagia with swallowing treatments due to her MS diagnosis, but prior to hospitalization she consumed a regular diet with thin liquids.