Last Minute (HIGH-QUALITY) Education!Get your hours in before the end of the year!If you are like me, you may be scrambling for a few more continuing education courses! It may be tempting to just grab whatever is free and easy, but if we take a little time to look around, there are some fantastic no- or low-cost courses on dysphagia. In case you DON’T have a little bit of extra time, here are a few good ones.
The University of Wisconsin Division of Otolaryngology offers a Voice & Swallow Clinic Lecture Series. The courses are lectures given by experts and recorded live during private offerings held at the UW Voice and Swallow Clinic. The courses are all offered at no cost and are eligible for ASHA CEUs.
The American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (AB-SSD) has a full complement of spectacular courses, all available for ASHA CEUs, with costs from $19-$50, as well as a few complimentary courses. Subject matter covers all things swallowing, including some great Ethics content, in case you still need to meet that requirement! You will need to create an account with the AB-SSD, but there is no cost to do so!
ASHA’s Special Interest Group 13: Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (SIG 13) Perspectives offers many great papers available for ASHA CEUs, and most are just a $5 charge (ASHA CE Registry is a separate cost!) if you belong to the SIG. You can still take the course if you are not a SIG member, but the prices go up.Completing continuing education courses doesn’t need to be stressful. In fact, it can be fun, EDUCATIONAL…and even affordable! I hope that was helpful! See ya next year!
INDICATIONS AND USAGE | IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
These products should not be used in patients with known or suspected perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; known obstruction of the GI tract; high risk of GI perforation such as those with a recent GI perforation, acute GI hemorrhage or ischemia, toxic megacolon, severe ileus, post GI surgery or biopsy, acute GI injury or burn, or recent radiotherapy to the pelvis; high risk of aspiration such as those with known or suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula or obtundation; known severe hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of the product used.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE | IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
VARIBAR® (barium sulfate)
INDICATIONS
VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension, VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension, and VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) oral suspension are radiographic contrast agents indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients.
VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension and VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste are radiographic contrast agents indicated for use in modified barium swallow examinations to evaluate the oral and pharyngeal function and morphology in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
CONTRAINDICATIONS
These products should not be used in patients with known or suspected perforation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; known obstruction of the GI tract; high risk of GI perforation such as those with a recent GI perforation, acute GI hemorrhage or ischemia, toxic megacolon, severe ileus, post GI surgery or biopsy, acute GI injury or burn, or recent radiotherapy to the pelvis; high risk of aspiration such as those with known or suspected tracheo-esophageal fistula or obtundation; known severe hypersensitivity to barium sulfate or any of the excipients of the product used.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Barium sulfate preparations contain a number of excipients, including natural and artificial flavors, and may induce serious hypersensitivity reactions. The manifestations include hypotension, bronchospasm and other respiratory impairments, and dermal reactions including rashes, urticaria, and itching. A history of bronchial asthma, atopy, food allergies, or a previous reaction to a contrast agent may increase the risk for hypersensitivity reactions. Emergency equipment and trained personnel should be immediately available for treatment of a hypersensitivity reaction.
Intra-abdominal Barium Leakage
The use of VARIBAR PRODUCTS is contraindicated in patients at high risk of perforation of the GI tract. Administration of VARIBAR PRODUCTS may result in leakage of barium from the GI tract in the presence of conditions such as carcinomas, GI fistula, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, appendicitis, or diverticulitis, and in patients with a severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, especially if it is distal to the stomach. The barium leakage has been associated with peritonitis and granuloma formation.
Delayed Gastrointestinal Transit and Obstruction
Orally administered barium sulfate may accumulate proximal to a constricting lesion of the colon, causing obstruction or impaction with development of baroliths (inspissated barium associated with feces) and may lead to abdominal pain, appendicitis, bowel obstruction, or rarely perforation. Patients with the following conditions are at higher risk for developing obstruction or baroliths: severe stenosis at any level of the GI tract, impaired GI motility, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, on a low residue diet, taking medications that delay GI motility, constipation, pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis or Hirschsprung disease, and the elderly. To reduce the risk of delayed GI transit and obstruction, patients should maintain adequate hydration after the barium sulfate procedure. When administering VARIBAR PUDDING, consider the administration of laxatives.
Aspiration Pneumonitis
The use of VARIBAR PRODUCTS is contraindicated in patients with trachea-esophageal fistula. Oral administration of barium is associated with aspiration pneumonitis, especially in patients with a history of food aspiration or with compromised swallowing mechanism. Vomiting following oral administration of barium sulfate may lead to aspiration pneumonitis. In patients at risk for aspiration, begin the procedure with a small ingested volume of VARIBAR PRODUCTS. Monitor the patient closely for aspiration, discontinue administration of VARIBAR PRODUCTS if aspiration is suspected, and monitor for development of aspiration pneumonitis.
Systemic Embolization
Barium sulfate products may occasionally intravasate into the venous drainage of the GI tract and enter the circulation as a "barium embolus" leading to potentially fatal complications which include systemic and pulmonary embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, septicemia and prolonged severe hypotension. Although this complication is exceedingly uncommon after oral administration of a barium sulfate suspension, monitor patients for potential intravasation when administering barium sulfate.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
The most common adverse reactions are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Serious adverse reactions and fatalities include aspiration pneumonitis, barium sulfate impaction, intestinal perforation with consequent peritonitis and granuloma formation, vasovagal and syncopal episodes.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® THIN LIQUID (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® THIN HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® NECTAR (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® HONEY (barium sulfate) oral suspension.
Please click here for full Prescribing Information for VARIBAR® PUDDING (barium sulfate) oral paste.
VARIBAR is manufactured by E-Z-EM Canada Inc., for E-Z-EM, Inc., a subsidiary of Bracco Diagnostics Inc., Monroe Twp., NJ 08831.
VARIBAR is a registered trademark of E-Z-EM, Inc.
Talk Soon,
US-N/A-2300101 11/23