The Yale Swallow Protocol

Dr. Steven B. Leder, PhD, CCC-SLP, is Professor of Surgery (Otolaryngology) at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Steven B. Leder's research focuses on speech and swallowing abilities of patients with head and neck cancer, tracheotomy and ventilator dependency and swallowing diagnostic and rehabilitative strategies with both acute and long-term care patients, who receive all diagnoses. In his research, Dr. Leder works with patients of all ages in order to investigate the continuum of speech and swallowing problems and the impact of rehabilitative techniques aimed at improving these skills. Dr. Leder's studies are complemented by clinical expertise regarding voice restoration rehabilitation following total laryngectomy and use of both videofluoroscopy and flexible fiberoptic endoscopy in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of dysphagia and voice disorders. Dr. Debra M. Suiter, PhD, CCC-SLP, is the lead Speech-Language Pathologist at VA Medical Center - Memphis and her clinical care and interest is in assessment and treatment of dysphagia; endoscopic evaluation for assessment of swallowing and voice disorders.

1. Building a Foundation and Defining Terms.- 2. Screening Basics: Differentiating a Screen from a Diagnostic Tool.- 3. Criteria Necessary for a Successful and Reliable Swallow Screen.- 4. Development of a Programmatic Line of Research for Swallow Screening for Aspiration Risk: The First Step.- 5. Development of a Protocol: Why You Need More Than Just an Isolated 3-Ounce Water Swallow Challenge.- 6. Generalizing the Yale Swallow Protocol to Different Patient Populations: Time to Change.- 7. Recommending Specific Oral Diets Based on Passing the Yale Swallow Protocol.- 8. Yale Swallow Protocol Administration and Interpretation: Passing and Failing.- 9. Implementation of the Yale Swallow Protocol by Other Health Care Professionals.- 10. Question: What about silent aspiration? Answer: Silent aspiration is volume-dependent.- 11. In Support of Use of the Yale Swallow Protocol: Longer-Term Success of Diet Recommendations and Oral Alimentation.- 12. Final Thoughts.- 13. The Yale Swallow Protocol Administration Forms.