This presentation highlights early swallowing intervention strategies for patients with tracheostomy and mechanical ventilation, emphasizing restoration of upper airway airflow. Cuff deflation and speaking valves are reviewed, with a focus on subglottic suction tracheostomy tubes to enhance swallowing, secretion management, cough, reduce VAP risk, and enable above-cuff vocalization.
Live Webinar
Thu, Jun 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm EDTCEUs/Hours Offered: ASHA/0.1 Intermediate, Professional; Calif SLPAB/1.0; IACET/0.1; Kansas LTS-S1370/1.0; SAC/1.0
Learning Outcomes
- After this course, participants will be able to analyze the impact of disrupted upper airway airflow after tracheostomy on swallowing, phonation, cough effectiveness, and secretion management, and how re-establishing airflow facilitates recovery of these functions.
- After this course, participants will be able to describe early intervention strategies - including cuff deflation, speaking valve use, and subglottic suction tracheostomy tubes - to support swallowing recovery and airway management.
- After this course, participants will be able to evaluate the clinical benefits of subglottic suction tracheostomy tubes in reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) risk, facilitating above-cuff vocalization, and enhancing swallowing outcomes.
Agenda
| 0-10 Minutes | Introduction and clinical context; dysphagia prevalence and the role of disrupted upper airway airflow |
| 10-30 Minutes | Assessment considerations and why early intervention matters |
| 30-40 Minutes | Treatment considerations: Restoration of upper airway airflow with cuff deflation and speaking valves |
| 40-55 Minutes | Treatment considerations: Use of subglottic suction tracheostomy tubes - impact on VAP risk, above-cuff vocalization, secretion management, and swallowing outcomes |
| 55-60 Minutes | Summary, Q&A |
Presented By
Carmin Bartow
MS CCC-SLP
Carmin Bartow is a speech pathologist with over two decades of clinical experience in tracheostomy management. She served as a clinical specialist for Passy-Muir for several years and has provided tracheostomy-related education throughout her career. Carmin joined Atos Medical as a Tracheostomy Clinical Educator in 2024.
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Financial: Carmin Bartow is an employee of Atos Medical. Non-financial: Carmin Bartow has no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
Sponsor Disclosure: This Course is presented by SpeechPathology.com in partnership with Atos Medical.
Content Disclosure: This learning event does not focus exclusively on any specific product or service.
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American Speech-Language-Hearing Assn.
Intermediate Level
0.10 ASHA CEUs
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