Acute Care Speech Language Pathologists

In a year filled with uncertainty and continual change, acute care adult Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) have risen to the challenge.

Eating, drinking, and communication are skills that we take for granted. For patients affected by COVID-19, difficulty with swallowing, speaking, and cognition commonly occur.

These issues may happen when a person is in hospital and acutely ill, or after a patient has recovered. In serious cases, patients may suffer injury related to intubation and ventilation, including trauma to the vocal cords and weakness of the muscles needed for swallowing. Speech-Language Pathologists play an essential role in assessing swallowing and helping patients re-gain swallowing function. SLPs also play a key role in providing alternate means of communication for those who are not able to speak while on ventilators. 

SLPs in our acute care facilities have demonstrated courage and resilience, continually seeking new information on how COVID-19 impacts communication and swallowing, and finding ways of providing care while juggling challenges related to infection control.  Although there is ongoing uncertainly related to the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that remains consistent and clear is that acute care SLPs are on the front lines, providing early intervention and treatment. We salute you!