TIMS Medical

Today we are discussing dysphagia and Parkinson's Disease. Let's get into it! Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which, typically presents in later life and is characterized by generalized slowing of movements (bradykinesia) as well as resting tremor or rigidity (Zafar & Yaddanapudi, 2023). The loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic innervation characterizes PD; however, neurodegeneration is not limited to the nigral dopaminergic neurons but also involves cells located in other regions of the neural network (Kouli et al., 2018). Widespread pathology makes PD a complex disorder, and reliable diagnostic testing is not yet available - diagnosis is currently based on clinical features, including resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and/or postural instability (Kouli et al., 2018). More than 80 % of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) develop dysphagia during the course of their disease, which can result in reduced quality of life, challenges in medication intake, malnutrition, and aspiration pneumonia (Suttrup & Warnecke, 2016). It is important to note that aspiration pneumonia is a leading cause of death for those with PD (Suttrup & Warnecke, 2016; Won et al., 2021). PD can impact all phases of swallowing (Warnecke et al., 2010). Dysphagia for those with PD may be characterized by changes in swallow initiation, oral residue, premature bolus movement, regurgitation into the nasal cavity or upper pharynx, pharyngeal residue, penetration, aspiration, and reduced esophageal peristalsis (Kwon et al., 2019). Although dysphagia may be present in the earlier stages of PD, it can often go undetected (Pflug et al., 2018). The high risk for the development of dysphagia for those with PD demonstrates the importance of early screening (Gong et al., 2022). According to Gong et al. (2022), instrumental evaluations are recommended as the first choice to assess swallowing function for those with PD. Suttrup & Warnecke (2016) report that flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS/MBSS) are both considered to be gold standards for the evaluation of PD-related dysphagia. In addition, high-resolution manometry may be beneficial. Deep brain stimulation and exercises using sEMG biofeedback may help improve swallowing timing, expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) and DBS may help improve swallow safety, and LSVT and pharmacological intervention may lead to improvements in efficiency (Athukorala et al., 2014; Bushmann et al., 1989; Ciucci et al., 2008; El Sharkawi et al., 2002; Lengerer et al., 2012; Michou et al., 2014; Miles et al., 2017; Warnecke et al., 2016). Interested in learning more? Check out the references in this post!

Earlier this month, our team had the honor of collaborating with the healthcare professionals at Salem Health in Salem, OR. Their mission to improve the health and well-being of the people and communities they serve was reflected in their values of excellence, accountability, integrity, caring, and teamwork. To further support their commitment to high-quality care, Salem Health has added TIMS MVP to their radiology suite, using it in conjunction with their GE RF180. We extend our thanks to the team at Salem Health and to our colleagues at GE HealthCare! #PACS #VNA #TIMSMVP

There's still time to register for our upcoming October TIMS University event! TIMS Medical is proud to partner with Laura McWilliams, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, to support healthcare professionals affected by Hurricane Helene through the course, "Safety, Standardization, Swiss Cheese & the SLP." Join us this Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 8:00 - 9:00 PM EST. In this course, Laura will dive into key patient safety topics, including the Swiss Cheese Model of risk management, identifying diagnostic errors, and improving clinical outcomes through standardization in voice and swallowing diagnostics. Additionally, she will share her experiences advocating for healthcare teams and safety measures. This free event is eligible for 0.1 ASHA CEUs/1 PDH. Although this event is complimentary, we are accepting donations, with all proceeds benefiting healthcare professionals impacted by Hurricane Helene. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gEfxUa3z Donations accepted here: https://gofund.me/14f8beb0 Thank you for your support!

At TIMS Medical, our commitment to improving patient outcomes drives everything we do, which is why we were honored to collaborate with the team at St. David’s Surgical Hospital. This exceptional team is dedicated to delivering healthcare with a compassionate, person-centered approach. To further support their commitment to the community, St. David’s Surgical Hospital has integrated TIMS MVP into their radiology suite. They will be using the TIMS MVP software alongside their Siemens Luminos Agile Max for enhanced imaging solutions. We extend our sincere thanks to the healthcare professionals at St. David’s Surgical Hospital and our valued partners at Siemens Healthineers! #PACS #VNA #TIMSMVP

Earlier this month, our team had the distinct honor of collaborating with the healthcare professionals at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. This outstanding team brings extensive experience in meeting the unique needs of veterans, their families, and caregivers. The Martinsburg VA team has integrated TIMS MVP software and a mobile cart into their radiology suite to further their mission of delivering gold-standard care. They are utilizing these new solutions alongside their Canon Ultimax-I for fluoroscopic studies. We extend our gratitude to the team at Martinsburg VA, and to our partners at Canon for their continued support! #PACS #VNA #TIMSMVP

Recently, we had the privilege of collaborating with the dedicated team at Southern Tennessee Medical Center. Their commitment to sharing best clinical practices and expanding access to quality care across Tennessee, supporting physicians, and assuming leadership roles within the community was evident throughout our collaboration. In their ongoing efforts to enhance patient care, they have integrated TIMS MVP into their clinical practice, complementing their use of endoscopes from PatCom Medical. We extend our gratitude to the outstanding team at Southern TN Medical Center and our colleagues at PatCom Medical for their partnership! #PACS #VNA #FEES #TIMSMVP

For our October TIMS University event, TIMS Medical is proud to partner with Laura McWilliams, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S to support healthcare professionals affected by Hurricane Helene through the course, "Safety, Standardization, Swiss Cheese & the SLP." Join us on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, from 8:00 - 9:00 PM EST. In this course, Laura will cover key topics in patient safety and quality improvement, focusing on SLP practice. Attendees will explore the Swiss Cheese Model of risk management, strategies to identify diagnostic errors, and practical approaches for enhancing clinical safety and outcomes. She will also highlight the importance of standardization in voice and swallowing diagnostics. Beyond her expertise, Laura has been deeply involved in her community’s recovery following the hurricane, advocating for stronger support systems, safety measures, and communication among healthcare teams during crises. This event is free, and donations are welcome, with all proceeds going directly to healthcare teams impacted by the hurricane. The course offers 0.1 ASHA CEUs, providing an opportunity to learn, give back, and help rebuild the healthcare community. To register for the course, click here: https://lnkd.in/gEfxUa3z To donate, click here: https: https://gofund.me/08fc02af Thank you for your support in helping healthcare communities recover!

Today we are providing a quick review of vocal fold polyps. Read on to learn more! Vocal fold polyps are benign lesions that are often unilateral (Vasconcelos et al., 2019). Polyps originate due to phonotrauma; however, irritants such as gastroesophageal reflux, smoking, aspiration of chemical substances, or intense respiratory activities may contribute to their development (Bohlender et al., 2013; Johns (2003), Martins et al., 2009). Signs and symptoms of polyps include breathiness, hoarseness, or vocal fatigue (Toran et al., 2010). The shape of polyps may be classified as peduncular or sessile (Vasconcelos et al., 2019). A sessile polyp has a broad base, whereas a pedunculated polyp has a small stalk. The size, position, and type of polyp impact vocal qualities, including hoarseness, harshness, and breathiness, and abnormal voice qualities, including hoarseness, harshness, and breathiness (Casper & Leonard, 2006). Treatment options may include traditional laryngeal microsurgery, conservative medical treatment, the use of an endoscopic laser, steroid injections, flexible laryngostroboscopic surgery, acupuncture, voice therapy, and vocal health orientation associated with antireflux medication (Hsu et al., 2009; Ivey et al., 2008; Jeong et al., 2014; Lan et al., 2010; Mallur et al., 2011; Sahin et al., 2018; Srirompotong et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2013; Yiu et al., 2016). To learn more, check out the references cited in this post. FEES snapshot courtesy of Monica Lupo, M.A., CCC-SLP, TSSLD, CDP, LSVT-C, CLTS.

Last month, we had the honor of collaborating with the outstanding healthcare team at Emory Decatur Hospital, whose dedication to patient health and wellness is evident. To enhance their radiology suite, Emory Decatur has integrated TIMS MVP into their workflow for both videofluoroscopic and flexible endoscopic evaluations of swallowing (VFSS and FEES). These advanced solutions will seamlessly complement their existing Siemens Axion TF and Olympus CV-170 systems, ensuring the highest level of care and diagnostic precision. We extend our thanks to the Emory Decatur Hospital team, as well as our valued partners at Siemens Healthineers and Olympus Corporation of the Americas, for their commitment to advancing patient care!

Recently, we had the privilege of collaborating with the team at WVU Medicine in Morgantown, WV. This dedicated group is committed to improving the health of West Virginians through excellence in patient care, research, and education. Their commitment to transforming lives and addressing health disparities was evident throughout our work together. To support their goal of improving patient outcomes, the team at WVU has integrated TIMS MVP into their radiology suite, using it alongside their Toshiba Kalare. We are deeply grateful to the wonderful healthcare professionals at WVU Medicine and our colleagues at Toshiba!