Advancing SLP Practice in Idaho’s Skilled Nursing Facilities

By Elyse Matson, MA CCC-SLP, Ensign SLP Resource

Recently we held training sessions in Pocatello and Boise, Idaho, for our SLPs to improve their excellence in care. Therapy Resources Brooke Stanley and Kendra Winters brought the SLPs together for the course. The SLP Essentials course addressed key topics critical to SLPs practicing in long-term care, with an emphasis on practical application and collaborative approaches. Here are some of the areas covered in the course:

Culture in SNF settings: The importance of understanding and adapting to the culture of a skilled nursing facility cannot be overstated. Discussions centered on strategies to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, build trust, and align therapy practices with the unique needs of each facility’s patient population. In addition, we addressed the use of SLP group calls, social media, and community collaboration to enhance our roles.

PDPM and patient advocacy: This portion of the training emphasized how SLPs can use PDPM to support their patients while ensuring therapy plans align with Medicare guidelines. We discussed the importance of communication methods while capturing areas in the SLP case mix.

Dysphagia assessment and treatment: We covered evidence-based best practices in assessment, treatment, and interdisciplinary approaches to improve outcomes for patients with swallowing difficulties. We used a case study to illustrate best practices, including the resources available on the portal Dysphagia | Ensign Services Portal. The use of multiple bedside, validated tools was emphasized for best practices and accurate treatment planning.  (https://portal.ensignservices.net/departments/therapy/clinical-programming/dysphagia/dysphagia)

Long-term care programming: Developing and maintaining effective programs in long-term care requires innovation and expertise. The training highlighted strategies for creating impactful interventions that address cognitive-linguistic decline, swallowing maintenance, and overall patient engagement.

Medicare documentation: Accurate and thorough documentation is vital for compliance and reimbursement. Participants gained practical tips for crafting documentation, including goal writing, that reflects strong clinical reasoning, supports medical necessity, and meets Medicare’s stringent requirements.

Finally, we had robust discussions about emerging treatments, the use of IDDSI diets, and our place on the interdisciplinary team. 

By equipping SLPs with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate today’s challenges, these trainings support the continued delivery of high-quality care for patients in long-term care settings. It was a pleasure to spend time with these bright SLPS!

In this course, the SLPs were awarded four hours of CEUs. If you are interested in bringing SLP Essentials to your markets, please reach out to Elyse Matson, SLP Resource, at ematson@ensignsevices.net.