Do I need to do anything beyond a regular HRiM study if I want UES measurements?

More and more providers are asking for UES data on their reports. Our HRiM probe collects data from the pharynx to the stomach with most studies. Usually, no extra maneuver is needed during the acquisition of a standard HRiM study in order to capture UES data. The UES measurements are all created during study review. The exception to this is when your patient has a long

esophagus.

Usually, during an HRiM study you will see at least 1.5 - 2 cms of blue pharyngeal channels (about one finger's width) above the proximal edge of the UES. While you are administering the saline or viscous swallows for the lower body study, you can visually determine if you have enough pharyngeal channels showing. A patient with a short esophageal body will have even more pharyngeal channels showing on the screen. However, if the patient has a long esophageal body, then you may see little or no blue above the UES. If you think you will be measuring the UES on such a patient, proceed as follows.

After the regular swallows are completed:

∙Pull the probe back 1 to 5 cms - just enough to expose 2 cms of blue above the proximal edge of the UES.

∙Hold or tape the probe here for at least 5 to 10 quiet respiratory cycles. This area will be used to measure a resting UESP.

∙Press the LS button in the upper left corner of the acquisition screen.

∙Administer 5 quick saline or water swallows, 5 ml each. You do not have to wait for these swallows to propagate all the way to the LES. The swallows can be about 15 seconds apart (UES openings about one inch apart). Striated muscle fibers recover quickly.

∙Extubate the patient and dangle the probe in air for 15 seconds, as always, before you stop and quit the study.

For details on creating UES measurements, please log onto our website at and go to Clinical Education / On-line University to view a tutorial on editing a HRiM study.

WEBINAR ANNOUNCEMENT

We are pleased to announce that we will hold the first of several practical webinars on February 19th at 1:00m PM MST. The webinar, titled A Guide t o Advanced Analysis, will be conducted by Wendy O'Connor, RN, BSN. Details on how t o register will be sent shortly. We hope you can participat e!

A Guide to Advanced Analysis

What are the different Chicago Classification measurements

How do the Chicago Classification measurements compare to traditional measurement s

Review of normal values for Chicago Classifications

Demonstrat e the creation of each of the Chicago Classification measurement s

Demonstrat e the logging of these measurements

Review how t o report these measurements and how the data appear on the report HAPPENINGS

February