Guidelines for Reporting Results of MBS

CODI 531 MEDICAL SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Guidelines for written report of MBS
from Manual for the Videofluorographic Study of Swallowing, Second Edition, Logemann, 1993

Reports should include the following information - this could be used as headings or report could be
written in paragraph form. Many clinical departments may now use checklist/form instead of a formal report.

   * relevant background information and history
   * description of oropharyngeal anatomy and swallowing physiology
   * effects of treatment strategies
   * recommendations for method of nutritional intake
   * type of therapy if indicated
   * schedule for re-evaluation if necessary
   * need for other assessments or consultations

BACKGROUND

Relevant medical history,

placement of tracheostomy tube,

any non-oral feeding procedures

DESCRIPTION OF SWALLOW FUNCTION*

Oral Stage

speed of oral stage of swallow

motility disorders

cause location and approximate amount (percentage of bolus) of residue in the mouth

Stage Transition

estimate of duration of any delay in triggering the pharyngeal swallow

location of bolus in the pharynx during the delay

occurrence of any aspiration during the delay

Pharyngeal Stage

pharyngeal transit time

location and approximate amount of residue in pharynx after swallow

movement disorder causing the residue

presence and approximate amount of aspiration both during or after the swallow

* if same disorders seen on swallows of all consistencies note this at beginning of report; if disorders vary
with consistency repeat the report sequence for each consistency

EFFECTS OF TRIAL COMPENSATIONS OR THERAPY STRATEGIES

list compensations or therapy strategies used during the evaluation
describe effects (both positive and negative) of treatments

RECOMMENDATIONS

recommend food consistency/volume changes

decisions based on (a) speed of swallow and (b) amount of aspiration seen across various consistencies and under various treatment conditions
may also make recommendations for feeding other feeding procedures i.e. rate, environment

recommended therapy procedures or compensations
recommended schedule for reevaluation

depends on patients medical diagnosis, anticipated rate of recovery and prognosis
for neurologic patient in process of recovery, norm is reevaluation in 3-4 weeks
for patient with degenerative condition, reevaluation in 3-6 months or sooner if conditions worsens
general rule of thumb is to schedule evaluation when patient is ready for major advance in treatment - in these situations could use statement such as "reevaluation suggested when clinical improvement is seen."

recommendations for other consultations and assessments

used with patient with swallowing disorder of unknown etiology
refer to neurology for suspected neurologic disease
refer to gastroenterology if esophageal problems noted