"Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers." – Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine
As we head into the heart of summer, we hope you’re finding time to enjoy a little sunshine, recharge, and make the most of the season. It’s been a busy and exciting few months on our end, and we’re excited to share some of the highlights, updates, and ideas we think you’ll find helpful.
In this issue, you’ll find a mix of what’s new, what’s improved, and what’s coming next—along with a few tips to help you get even more value from our products and services. Whether you’re catching up poolside or between meetings, we hope this quick read keeps you informed and inspired.
Thank you, as always, for being part of our community—we appreciate you and look forward to what’s ahead!
Also don’t forget to visit our TWO websites, https://iopicares.com/ and https://iopimedical.com/. The latter of which offers the latest news and research and gives you the opportunity to earn free CEUs with your choice of three courses. You can also interact with our IOPI staff, and Patient Advocacy tools (have you seen the Dysphagia Cost tool?!). You can also use our Get a Quote page if you need pricing information. It’s quick and easy! Visit us at https://iopimedical.com/ You can also interact with us on Instagram @iopimedical & Facebook at IOPI Medical LLC for the latest news and information.
Share the wealth! If you know someone who could benefit from our quarterly newsletter, send them this link to get signed up, www.iopimedical.com/news/.
Myth: Tongue strength values are the same for all patients
False, Tongue strength varies according to age, sex, health status, and individual characteristics. Interpretation should consider normative data and the patient's overall clinical presentation.
Clinician Access at Your Fingertips
Did you know we have our very own Clinical Consultant on staff? Whether you have a perplexing question or just need a bit of guidance, Ed Bice, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is always happy to help. You can schedule time with Ed by going towww.iopimedical.comand clicking on the “Schedule time with us” button. You can also reach him ated@iopimedical.com.
2026 ASHA Convention Indianapolis, IN, November 19-21
ASHA is always an exciting time for IOPI—and this year is no exception! We’re already preparing for and looking forward to reconnecting with our wonderful community of friends, clinicians, and supporters. We’re especially excited to showcase our Trainer Rental Program, now fully launched and better than ever.
If you stopped by last year and heard about the program in its early stages, you’ll notice some exciting updates. Based on your feedback, we’ve made it simpler and more accessible—making it easier than ever to support your patients with effective in-home therapy solutions. As always, we’ll be offering a special show discount for attendees who visit our booth. And of course, our Clinical Consultant, Ed Bice, will be available throughout the event to answer your clinical questions and share insights.
Stop by and see us at Booth #1153—we can’t wait to connect with you! For registration and additional event details, visit: https://convention.asha.org/
ESSD 2026
Leiden, Netherlands, October 21-23
It has now been just over a year since our return to Europe, and momentum continues to build. With the addition of several new distributors—including France and Italy—we are excited to once again be attending the ESSD Congress.
We are incredibly proud of our growing network of partners and deeply appreciative of the dedication and commitment they continue to demonstrate when representing IOPI Medical around the world.
🌟 Share Your IOPI Story! 🌟 Have you heard about our #ILoveMyIOPIcampaign?
We’re looking for clinicians, researchers, and patients who’ve had great experiences with IOPI Medical products—and we’d love to highlight your story to inspire others.
How to participate: 📹 Record a short testimonial video (up to 3 minutes) 💬 Share what you love about your IOPI and the results you’ve achieved 📧 Send your video to Info@IOPIMedical.com
💡What makes a great testimonial: • A genuine, personal experience • Specific improvements or outcomes you’ve seen • Clear audio and video quality • Good lighting and a comfortable speaking pace • Willingness to allow use in marketing materials
✅ Submission Guidelines: • Content must be original and truthful • Use professional language in an appropriate setting • Participants must consent to potential marketing use
✨ Selected testimonials will be featured on our social channels—and you’ll receive a free box of Tongue Bulbs as a thank-you! ✨
Ready to make an impact and inspire others? We can’t wait to hear your story!
The IOPI® Trainer Patient Home Rental Program is in full swing! Haven’t joined us yet? Here’s why you should.
Benefits for your patients… • Affordable home therapy option for patients • Rent vs. purchase—perfect for short-term needs • FREE Training & support available for clinicians new to the IOPI® Trainer • Zero administrative burden on your practice
And for your practice with enhanced patient outcomes: • Continuous therapy between clinic visits • No Administrative Load: We handle payments, shipping, and tech support • Clinical Control: You maintain oversight of therapy protocols • Flexible Rental Terms: 2–6-month rentals with easy returns
Visit www.iopicares.com to find out more.
Earn ASHA CEUs with Our Three Free Courses
Many of you may already be familiar with our esteemed Clinical Consultant, Ed Bice, but did you know, you can learn from him from the comfort of your office or home?
IOPI Medical offers ASHA Continuing Education Units with our FREE courses. Choose from:
The Role of Oral Musculature in Swallowing and the Therapeutic Benefits of the IOPI, reviewing the oral musculature and its essential functions, as well as explore exercise principles and how the IOPI can be integrated into a dysphagia treatment plan.
Building a Therapy Program from the Ground Up, examining current evidence related to the assessment and treatment of dysphagia and providing practical suggestions for a path forward.
IOPI Research Updates, summarizing recent findings related to the IOPI.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” — Socrates
Growth begins with reflection. Examination of clinical practice offers insight into how evidence, education, workplace demands, and experience influence decision-making. Examination of clinical decision-making and established practices creates opportunities to learn, adapt, and improve. Self-reflection represents a commitment to excellence.
The research highlighted in this quarter’s newsletter explores practice patterns among speech-language pathologists working with individuals with dysphagia. Although each study examines a different aspect of clinical care, collectively the findings provide a valuable reflection of the profession. The articles reveal areas of strength, identify opportunities for growth, and serve as the catalyst for meaningful discussion and change.
For clinicians treating swallowing disorders, reflection carries particular significance. Clinical decisions have influence on far more than physiological outcomes. Recommendations regarding assessments, diet modifications, compensatory strategies, informed consent, and patient education can affect quality of life, personal autonomy, cultural identity, and participation in meaningful activities. Decisions require thoughtful analysis and critical thinking rather than automatic reliance on habit or tradition. Each recommendation represents an opportunity to balance evidence, patient preferences, and clinical judgment in the provision of individualized care.
The studies presented in this newsletter offer an opportunity to consider how current evidence can contribute to more thoughtful and effective clinical practice. The pursuit of excellence in dysphagia care is not a destination but a continual process of learning, reflection, and growth.
Study #1: Dysphagia Management in Geriatric Medicine: Clinical Perspectives and Practice Patterns
The authors used a survey to examine perspectives on dysphagia management among 82 geriatrics-focused healthcare providers who were not speech-language pathologists. Most respondents reported confidence in their knowledge of dysphagia (81.7%) and its management (69.5%); however, 74.4% indicated a desire for additional training, particularly in dysphagia interventions (75.6%). Poor integration of dysphagia screening into clinical workflows was identified as the most common barrier to screening (52.4%), whereas perceived relevance to patient care was the most common facilitator (58.5%).
Most respondents reported referring patients to speech-language pathologists when dysphagia was suspected (92.7%), although 68.3% reported making referrals for only 1%–25% of patients. Among patients with dementia, 69.6% of respondents reported asking about swallowing in at least half of patient encounters. Thematic analysis identified concerns regarding person-centered approaches to dysphagia management, particularly related to diet modifications. Additional themes included limited interdisciplinary collaboration and restricted clinical resources.
Study #2: Use of Standardized Dysphagia Protocols in Clinical Practice: A Survey of U.S. Speech-Language Pathologists
A web-based survey examined the use of standardized dysphagia evaluation protocols among 520 speech-language pathologists in the United States. Most respondents were master's-level clinicians working in adult inpatient settings and reported more than 15 years of experience in dysphagia management. The survey collected information regarding clinical and instrumental assessment practices, imaging protocols, swallowing components assessed, and implementation of research-supported protocols.
Carnaby, G., Crane, K., Gosa. M., Suiter, D. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/abs/10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00345
Practice patterns differed according to years of experience treating dysphagia but not educational level. Although imaging assessments were available to most respondents (81.4%), younger clinicians reported less frequent use of clinical bedside evaluations and greater reliance on instrumental imaging assessments. Younger clinicians also reported less frequent use of measured bolus volumes. When aspiration was observed, younger respondents more commonly reported changing patient positioning and implementing swallowing maneuvers than modifying bolus type or volume.
The findings demonstrate considerable variation in assessment practices among speech-language pathologists and describe differences in evaluation approaches associated with clinician age and experience.
Study #3: Informed Consent in Speech-Language Pathology Documentation When Recommending Diet Changes
The authors conducted a retrospective review to examine the documentation of informed consent when speech-language pathologists made diet modification recommendations. The review included 201 assessments (clinical swallow evaluations, videofluoroscopic swallowing studies, and flexible endoscopic evaluations) obtained from acute care and outpatient settings. Documentation was analyzed for the presence of five core components of informed consent: understanding, disclosure, treatment, alternatives, and choice.
Bice, E., Tomitz, N., Baumrucker, S., Galek, K. https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2026_AJSLP-25-00381
Speech-language pathologists documented an average of 2 of the 5 informed consent components, and no report included all 5 components. Documentation of patient choice occurred more frequently in outpatient settings than in acute care settings. Clinical swallow evaluations were less likely to document patient understanding and choice than instrumental swallowing assessments.
Study #4: Perspectives and Clinical Practices of Speech-Language Pathologists Regarding Cultural Food Adaptations in Dysphagia Management
A survey examined perspectives and clinical practices related to cultural food adaptations in dysphagia management among 74 speech-language pathologists. The survey assessed clinicians' confidence in modifying traditional foods, the integration of cultural food preferences into treatment planning, the use of dysphagia resources, and perceived barriers to culturally responsive care.
Ashfaq, A., Afzal, M., Wasim, M. https://jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1275
Although 64.9% of respondents reported using the International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative (IDDSI) Framework, 62.1% reported low confidence in modifying traditional ethnic foods such as roti, rice, lentils, and meat curries. More than half of respondents (55.4%) reported rarely or never considering cultural food preferences. Limited knowledge was identified as the most common barrier (54.1%), and use of local food adaptation guides was reported by 27.0% of respondents.
Don’t Forget to Use Your Resources:
To help you achieve the best possible outcomes for your patients, we’re committed to providing you with powerful purchasing advocacy tools and ongoing clinical support.
Visit our Medical Professionals page to access valuable resources designed to support your efforts. There, you’ll find the IOPI Dysphagia Cost Tool and a ready-to-use Benefits of IOPI for Dysphagia PowerPoint presentation. Simply customize the presentation with details specific to your patient’s needs to strengthen your case.
You also have expert guidance at your fingertips. Our clinical consultant, Ed M. Bice, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, is available to mentor you through the advocacy process, including assessing and reporting the estimated cost of dysphagia to your facility. You can reach Ed for a patient consultation or clinical question by calling (844) 844-IOPI or emailing ed@iopimedical.com.
To access our IOPI Dysphagia Cost Tool, the Benefits of IOPI for Dysphagia PowerPoint, and tips on advocating for your patients, please visit our website.
We’re always looking for ways to better serve you—but we can’t do that without your feedback. We’ve put together a quick survey that only takes a few minutes, and we’d really love to hear your thoughts.
If you’ve already filled it out, thank you so much! Your input helps us continue improving and providing the best experience we can.
