1. Getting Started With Your Medical Practicum Experience
Initial Overview

2. A few preliminary notes ….

3. Influenza Modes of Transmission
Respiratory droplet transmission (cough, sneeze)
Contact with respiratory secretions and bodily fluids
Indirect contact via hand transfer
Note: People infected with flu may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick (from Everyday Preventive Actions on CDC website)

4. Preventing Influenza Transmission
Get influenza vaccination
Cover your cough & sneeze
Use facemask if patient has droplet precautions
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Use standard precautions (hand hygiene, gloves)
Limit touching of surfaces
Disinfect surfaces
Keep a distance (if possible)
DO NOT go to practicum if remotely feeling sick
DO NOT go to practicum until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without fever-reducing meds)
Link to CDC website on seasonal flu

5. Medical practicum

6. What is the purpose of Medical Practicum?
Familiarize yourself with a medical setting
Acquire basic competencies in certain areas of medical speech-language pathology
Medical chart review
Patient interviewing and case history
Oral-facial examination
Cognitive, speech, language screening
Swallowing screening and feeding precautions
Medical Practicum will run over three terms

7. How To Be Successful In Medical Practicum
Be on time, dressed according to clinic standards and eager to learn
Meet in the front lobby of Riverpark
Complete any readings or preparation requested in advance
Be mindful of HIPPA and confidentiality in and out of practicum

8. What is a SNF?
Skilled Nursing Facility - An institution where round the clock care is provided to individuals by trained nurses (LPNs and RNs).
Patients come for long term care and for short term care/rehab (to get better and return home or to a lesser level of care)
Some patients come and are still very ill or injured
May have mobility issues, new incisions, IV’s, drains, are in traction, have bruises, are very weak or difficult to arouse

9. What Types of Patients Do SLPs See?
Age range of patients in long-term care
60-69 years: 12%
70-79 years: 23%
80 years and older: 57%
Top SLP diagnoses in SNF’s
Swallowing: 67%
Cognitive-Communicative Disorder: 47%
Aphasia: 6%
Dysarthria: 5%
Voice Disorder: 3%
Source: ASHA NOMS: Adults in Healthcare – Skilled Nursing Facility 2012

10. How To Be Even More Successful In Medical Practicum
If you are feeling uncomfortable about a medical situation, talk with your supervisor as soon as it becomes a concern
Make eye contact with and greet the professionals and residents you meet
Communicate with the residents you meet at eye level, with a clear voice and smile!
Demonstrate professionalism

11. What to Expect First Visit
Tour of facility
Practice professional introduction
Participate in patient interview and administration of SLUMS and or MOCA
Oral- Facial exam
Initial Dysphagia screening ( observe pt consuming alternative diet)

12. Professional Introduction
Introduce yourself
Make eye contact
Speak clearly
State your credentials ( show your ID)
State your intention or ask permission to interview

13. Let’s Practice
SLUMS
MOCA

14. During Patient Interaction ( Interview)
Make note of;
Cognitive status
Orientation
Awareness of problem
Hearing status
Expressive Language
Word finding challenges?

15. Personal Interview Cont.
Comprehension
Follows directions?
Understands Yes/No?
Ability to follow directions
Voice
Loudness
Quality

16. Let’s Discuss
Pros and Cons
SLUMS VS MOCA

17. How to Prepare
Visit INFOCDS and begin making your medical practicum notebook or binder
InfoCDS> Practicum Placements> UO Placements> Medical Practicum
Practicum week 1- Dysphagia
Sign up via SIGN UP Genius

18. Medical Practicum Notebook
Please print from INFO CDS- Initial Preparation
SLUMS
MOCA
Initial Evaluation
Adult NOMS FCMs
Common Medical Abbreviations
Oral Facial Exam-Adult –UO Worksheet