Episode 59: COVID Convo with Caitlin Saxtein, MS, CCC-SLP
I am delighted to have Caitlin Saxtein on the podcast today for my next COVID Conversation. In response to the significant impact this public health crisis is having on our work, our lives, and our healthcare system, I’ve teamed up with my fellow SLPs to share insights into how the pandemic has changed their practice and what they’re doing to adapt. Today’s episode highlights the impact of COVID-19 on the acute care units.
topics covered:
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on acute care implementation of speech therapy services.
How Caitlin’s system has created teams with alternating schedules.
Unexpected benefits of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on improving intra-discipline communication and teamwork across the hospital.
Caitlin’s advice for other acute care therapists.
“Team lavender” - an employee led, employee support system at Caitlin’s work. Implemented a space for employees to take a break during the day to recharge.
Caitlin recommends wearing your N95 mask (if you have one) with all patients - not just confirmed COVID-19 positive patients.
Resources mentioned in the episode:
Headspace: App for self-care/mental health. Possibly free for healthcare workers currently - check out website for more info.
SYP Podcast: Airing episodes related to COVID/dysphagia currently (Spring 2020)!
Down the Hatch Podcast: Airing episodes related to COVID/dysphagia currently (Spring 2020)!
ASHA COVID-19 Updates: “ASHA’s priority is the safety and well-being of ASHA members, volunteers, and staff. We continue to closely monitor evolving information about the coronavirus/COVID-19.”
COVID-19 & Health Care resources from ASHA “The following information has been compiled to help in decision making related to patient care and personal safety for SLPs in health care, and will be updated as the recommendations related to COVID-19 evolve.”
Thank you, Caitlin, for these great links!!
Caitlin Saxtein, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a medical speech-language pathologist at Peconic Bay Medical Center, part of the Northwell Health System. Caitlin received her masters of science in communication sciences and disorders from Adelphi University.
Caitlin currently works as a medical speech pathologist in acute care and has experience in the subacute rehabilitation, outpatient, and home health settings. She is trained in Respiratory Muscle Strength Training (RMST), McNeill Dysphagia Therapy Program (MDTP), Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (VitalStim), and Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). She is a 4-time ASHA ACE Award recipient for continuing education.
Caitlin also has an extensive background with East End Hospice, volunteering with this organization for nearly 15 years. Caitlin is an active member of ASHA Special Interest Group 13 (Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders), the Dysphagia Research Society (DRS), New York City Dysphagia Study Group (NYCDSG), Long Island Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LISHA), and the New York State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NYSSLHA).
Caitlin is a Speaker’s Bureau committee member of LISHA, the Co-Chair of the Adult/Medical Dysphagia Track for the 2020 NYSSLHA Convention, and secretary of the Dysphagia Outreach Project, a newly established nonprofit organization whose mission is to collect and distribute dysphagia supplies and establish dysphagia awareness and education services. Caitlin has been selected to present at the local, state, and national level; including LIU Post to graduate speech-language pathology students, the Louisiana State Speech-Language-Hearing Association (LSHA) Annual Convention, NYCDSG, host a 3-hour continuing education conference for 0.3 ASHA CEU through LISHA, and was also selected to present at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2019 Convention for two presentations. Caitlin was also featured as a guest speaker on the Swallow Your Pride Podcast, episode 098.
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