Helping Patients Communicate, Think, Eat and Swallow with Greater Confidence
Communication, thinking and the ability to eat and swallow safely are important to our health, independence and quality of life.
At Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, our Speech Therapy program provides specialized evaluation and treatment for patients experiencing difficulties with feeding, swallowing, speech, voice, language and cognitive-communication skills.
Our speech-language pathologists provide individualized care for patients of all ages, with specialized expertise in medically based conditions resulting from illness, injury, surgery or neurological disease. We work closely with patients, families, physicians and other members of the healthcare team to develop treatment plans based on each patient’s individual needs and goals.
Feeding & Swallowing
Speech-language pathologists do much more than help people speak. They also have specialized training in evaluating and treating feeding and swallowing disorders, known as dysphagia.
Difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing can affect nutrition, hydration, respiratory health and overall quality of life. Evaluation and treatment may be appropriate for patients experiencing:
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Coughing or choking during meals
- Difficulty managing certain foods or liquids
- Feeding difficulties
- Changes in swallowing following illness, surgery or hospitalization
- Swallowing problems related to stroke or neurological conditions
- Head and neck cancer or treatment-related swallowing changes
- Concerns about maintaining safe and adequate nutrition and hydration
Treatment is individualized and may include swallowing rehabilitation, feeding strategies, recommendations for food or liquid consistency, patient and caregiver education, and coordination with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.
Our goal is to help patients eat and drink as safely and effectively as possible while supporting nutrition, health and independence.
Modified Barium Swallow Studies
CRMC also provides Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) studies when a more detailed evaluation of swallowing function is needed.
An MBS is a specialized X-ray study that allows the speech-language pathologist and Medical Imaging team to observe how food and liquid move through the mouth and throat during swallowing.
The study can help identify where swallowing difficulties are occurring, determine whether food or liquid is entering the airway, and provide valuable information to guide treatment and recommendations for safer, more effective eating and drinking.
Speech & Language Therapy
Changes in speech and language can make it difficult to communicate with family, friends and others in everyday life.
Some patients may have difficulty speaking clearly, while others may struggle to understand language, find the right words or express their thoughts. These changes may occur following a stroke, brain injury, illness or surgery or as the result of a neurological condition.
Depending on the patient’s needs, therapy may address:
- Speech clarity and articulation
- Aphasia and other language difficulties
- Voice disorders
- Communication following stroke or brain injury
- Other speech and language difficulties
Following an evaluation, our speech-language pathologists develop an individualized treatment plan focused on helping each patient communicate as effectively and independently as possible.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
A stroke, brain injury, neurological disease, serious illness or hospitalization can also affect the way a person processes information and manages everyday tasks.
Speech-language therapy can address cognitive-communication skills such as:
- Memory
- Attention and concentration
- Organization
- Reasoning and problem-solving
- Thought processing
- Planning and completing everyday activities
- Strategies to support greater independence
Treatment focuses on the abilities that matter in everyday life, helping patients develop or regain skills and learn strategies that can support independence at home and in the community.
LSVT LOUD® for Parkinson’s Disease
CRMC offers LSVT LOUD® provided by a certified speech-language pathologist.
LSVT LOUD is an evidence-based treatment designed to improve voice and speech in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Treatment focuses on improving vocal loudness, speech clarity and the ability to communicate more effectively in everyday life.
Individualized Rehabilitation Focused on You
Every patient’s goals are different.
Whether recovering from a stroke, managing Parkinson’s disease, experiencing changes following illness or surgery, working to improve communication or having difficulty eating and swallowing, our Speech Therapy team develops care around the needs of the individual patient.
Our goal is to help each person achieve the highest possible level of function, confidence and independence.
Better communication. Safer eating and swallowing. Greater independence.
Speech Therapy Appointments
Rehabilitation Hours:
Monday–Friday | 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 620-252-1505.