INHALATION BURN INJURY: IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMUNICATION AND SWALLOWING

Inhalation burn injury is a highly complex and potentially devastating form of trauma, particularly when accompanied by extensive cutaneous burns. While existing literature offers guidance on assessment and treatment of inhalation injury, the focus is largely on the emergency and acute phases, with comparatively little attention given to the sub-acute and rehabilitation stages. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have an important role to play in managing this specialised population, addressing both communication and swallowing needs, however their contributions are often under-recognised, poorly understood and not well utilised. This webinar explores the role of the SLP in managing patients with inhalation burn injury; current evidence, practical strategies and treatment considerations including respiratory muscle strength training will be discussed.

This webinar will be presented by Dr. Nicola Clayton. Nicola Clayton PhD, MScMed, BAppSc is a Clinical Specialist Speech Pathologist at Concord Hospital in Sydney with over 25 years in experience in complex dysphagia management. She is also a clinical academic, completing her Master of Science in Medicine and PhD with focusses on respiratory disease and severe burn injury. She holds honorary affiliations with the University of Queensland, University of Sydney and is internationally recognised for her expertise, research, and education in the field of dysphagia, severe burn injury and critical care.