NMES in Dysphagia Therapy in the NICU

Feeding problems complicate the care of preterm and term infants in the NICU. Delayed oral feedings can lead to prolonged length of stay, need for G-tube, family stress and separation. These infants, typically demonstrate discoordinated suck-swallow-breath patterns, delayed oral motor skills and weak pharyngeal muscle movements - thus leading to penetration and aspiration, putting the infant at increased risk of pneumonia and future oral aversion. Traditional therapies have shown limited and slow progress in this fragile population. Infants unable to demonstrate adequate feeding abilities are often discharged with G-Tube and PEG placements. The use of NMES as part of feeding and swallowing therapy has grown exponentially over the last 20 years across all ages. Use of this modality in the NICU is also becoming more frequent. This short course will focus on the objectives of this therapy and how it can complement traditional therapies in the NICU when these neonates/infants struggle with dysphagia and discuss opportunities to help this fragile population perform their best. 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:

State common feeding and swallowing difficulties that can arise in the NICU population
Describe process to analyze appropriateness to the addition of NMES to swallowing therapy in the NICU
Discuss appropriate candidacy for the use of NMES in the NICU
Detail at least 3 swallowing treatments to combine with NMES to enhance feeding and swallowing skills for breast and bottle feeding
Describe process to determine effectiveness of NMES on feeding and swallowing skills in neonates

Course Instructor(s)

Karin Mitchell

M.A. CCC-SLP

Karin Mitchell is a worldwide respected Speech Language Pathologist specializing in the care and treatment of pediatric feeding and swallowing, developmental care of the medically fragile infant and child, and pediatric traumatic brain injury. Her love of teaching and helping others drives her to create and deliver fun and empowering continuing education courses across the nation and internationally. Areas covered are Developmental Care in the NICU, Cue Based Feeding, pediatric feeding and swallowing analysis and treatment, including the use of VitalStim, swallow studies, enhancing decision making and clinical analysis, breast feeding the medically fragile infant and child, and developmental milestones supporting feeding skill acquisition. Beginning her practice in 1995, Karin sought out learning opportunities and creative ways to teach others. She now serves as a lead therapist for the NICU and Feeding Teams at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange, CA. With a clinical practice formed by a strong theory base in NDT and SI therapies, Karin is also NOMAS trained and VitalStim certified. She provides ongoing education in-services and hands-on labs for appropriate developmental care, positioning, handling, and feeding skills for clinical staff including medical residents, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. Karin was a key player in the development of unit protocols and care plans for evidence-based developmental care in the highly specialized Small Baby Unit (ELBW) at CHOC which includes an ongoing education series required by all medical and support personnel. She is an active committee member for multiple qualities of care committees including Skin to Skin Care, Developmental Care, Infant Driven Feeds, Breast Feeding Coalition, Palliative Care, Neuro NICU Team, Trauma Team, and Family Centered Care. A dedicated leader, Karin devotes much of her time to the support and development of clinicians, serving as a mentor committed to building therapist's skills in clinical analysis and therapeutic effectiveness with medically fragile patients. She is a strong advocate for her patients and their families and speaks at local associations, community centers, local universities, and school districts to support medically fragile infants and children.

Financial Disclosure: Karin receives an honorarium from CIAO for the presentation of this course. She also receives royalties for the purchase of her recorded course(s)
Non-financial Disclosure: Karin uses VitalStim in her clinical practice.

Course Agenda

60 Minutes

NMES in Dysphagia Therapy in the NICU

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 #20-942048)
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

Advanced 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.