Forensics for SLPs and OTs

This session will cover specific areas of concern in evaluation/therapy documentation that raise red flags in a medical records review. When implementing a dysphagia plan of care, we may include wording such as “achieve highest appropriate diet”, least restrictive diet”, and/or “utilize appropriate compensatory strategies. Unfortunately, some patients choke to death, which can result in a lawsuit. The role of a forensic speech pathologist is to connect the dots - where did the plan break down? See full course description here

Course Requirements:

Computer with internet and working speakers/sound are required for this course.
Course must be completed within 30 days of activation (activate course within 6 months of purchase).
An online verification of completion and submission of an online evaluation form are required for successful completion.
A certificate of completion will be available to print immediately after course is successfully completed.
SLPs - ASHA CEUs may be obtained by completing the online ASHA form and checking the "Report to ASHA" box.

See Conference Page for special discounts

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyze your documentation for red flags in your documentation to prevent future legal action
Develop documentation that more clearly describes session activities, patient performance and use of teach back methods

Course Instructor(s)

Denise Dougherty

MA, CCC-SLP

Denise Dougherty, MA, CCC-SLP
Denise owns and operates a private practice in Indiana, PA, where she conducts therapy with both children and adults. She is a legal consultant/expert witness in wrongful death/negligence lawsuits involving dysphagia. Denise is a co-editor of Private Practice Essentials: A Practical Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists, published by ASHA Press. She has presented workshops and written numerous articles appearing in the ASHA Leader on the topic of private practice. Denise served as a consultant for The Arijah Children’s Foundation in Anguilla, BWI, providing evaluations and therapy programs for special needs children. Ms. Dougherty was an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania and Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. She is a past President of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA), and received the Academy’s 2007 Honor Award and 2014 Award of Excellence for her achievements. Ms. Dougherty is a member of the Technical Experts Panel for Quality of Insights of Pennsylvania, working on initiating quality measures for CMS to improve effectiveness, efficiency, economy and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania; a master’s degree in communication disorders from St. Louis University. Ms. Dougherty is certified in VitalStim® therapy and is a VitalStim® instructor, has completed additional training in orofacial myology, is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association and has received numerous ASHA ACE Awards. For more information, please visit www.dldspeechpath.com.

Financial Disclosure Denise receives honoraria from CIAO for the presentation of her live courses and royalties for the sale of her online courses. Denise is in private practice and receives legal consultant/expert witness fees
Non-Financial Disclosure: There are no non-financial relationships to disclose.

Course Agenda

60 Minutes

Forensics for SLPs and OTs

1.0 Hours

Total

Contact hours pre-approved for:

1 Hour
CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider (0.1 ASHA CEUs) bubble sheet submission required
ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
This course meets PDU requirements for NBCOT (1 PDU)
Approved for:
1 Hr. OT/COTAs in FL (CE Broker #20-941996)
1 Hr. Registered with CEBroker for OT/COTAs in AL, AZ, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN

Course meets requirements for:

OT/COTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IA, IN, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT,

OT/COTAs in NE, NV, NH, NJ,, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WY

Intermediate Level
0.1 ASHA CEUs

CIAO is recognized on the NBCOT Provider Registry (meets PDU requirements for NBCOT)

CIAO Automatically reports to CE Broker for Florida Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants. Florida SLPs can either use the ASHA CE Participant Form (Bubble Sheet) or self-submit through CE Broker.