I always like to reflect on my year and all of my accomplishments (or all those tasks I have to carry over from my to-do list.  I also like to challenge myself for the next year and this year, I will challenge all of you as well!

A new year means new beginnings.  Everyone always jokes about how the current year has beaten them down and they’re hoping for better times in the new year.

1.  Don’t let the new year lead you.  Grab it by the throat and own it!  There are so many new adventures in this new year, don’t be afraid to get to it!   Many people do the #onelittleword hashtag for the new year.   My #onelittleword for 2018 is #adventure as I adventure out into the world of private practice.
2. If you’ve been doing therapy the same way for the past 20 years, maybe it’s time for a change.  When you think you know everything about dysphagia is when you need to brush up.  There have been so many changes and new findings.  Read some journal articles, start a journal club or join one if there is one in your area.  Keep updated on the latest in swallowing management and treatment.
3. Stop taking continuing education courses because they’re free or convenient.  Find something that is worth the money.  That may be your state convention or the ASHA convention (in Boston in 2018).  If you want quality, you will have to pay.  It takes many, many hours to put together quality continuing education.  Some courses that I really enjoyed from 2017 or even developed are:

• FEES Basic Course by Eric Blicker 
• Deciphering Dysphagia the Ampcare Way 
• The Cranial Nerve Examination:  Integrating Assessment and Treatment in Dysphagia Management
• Esophageal Dysphagia:  Evaluation and Treatment Options
• Critical Thinking in Dysphagia Management
• The McNeil Dysphagia Therapy Program

Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself in 2018!  Make this your year to do the best you can for your patients.

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​​https://www.speechandvoice.com/continuing-education-ceu-seminars/#schedule

I made it through another week to Friday!  So, even though this post comes out on Monday, I’m celebrating!  Unfortunately, some Fridays end up being my longest days!

Let’s jump right into this.  After this post, I will definitely plan another post discussing my pros and cons of home health work.

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Day 4 is Thursday.  I don’t have to work the weekends unless I want to work a Saturday or Sunday.  The great part of my job is that although I’m the only SLP for our area (job security!) I have a lot of flexibility!  I can schedule myself Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday if I want to take off some time through the week and not use PTO.

I mentioned in previous posts that we have to take vitals for every patient.  There is a required section in our paperwork where we put in the patient’s vitals and we have a vital log in the home that we complete every visit so that the patient has a recorded list of their vitals.

We take blood pressure, temperature, respiratory rate and pulse.  We can check oxygen levels if there is a doctors order in the chart.  I wasn’t a fan of having to take vitals initially, however I have used that knowledge and the numbers to send 2 patients to the ER.   One of whom ended up with a trach due to respiratory distress.  It is very important to assess the patient overall prior to any treatment.

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