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Video Swallow Study/Modified Barium Swallow Patient Information

Your understanding of the tests and treatments you receive is very important to everyone at Howard Regional Health System. Therefore, this information sheet is meant to acquaint you with standard procedures followed in a routine Modified Barium Swallow Study. This document provides you with the basic facts and information about this test. Read the material, share it with your family, and ask any clarifying questions of the nurse, technologist or speech-language pathologist. 

Definition:
This test is an x-ray study of the swallowing mechanism in the mouth and throat.

Procedure:

1. Arrive at Howard Regional Health System’s Registration Department.
2. You will be asked to chew and swallow several types of food mixed with barium, such as pudding, cookie, sandwich and a barium pill.
3. While you are chewing and swallowing, an x-ray picture will be recorded on a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR).
4. A doctor and several assistants are there to assist you if you have any problems. When you are finished, you will be free to leave the facility.

Results:
The radiologist and speech-language pathologist (SLP) will view the videotape and make a report for your physician. If you wish, you may view the videotape with the SLP. Your physician and/or the SLP will discuss with you the results of the test at a later visit.

Your comfort during this procedure is very important to the staff at Howard Regional Health System. Please let the technologist know if there is something that can be done to make you more comfortable during this procedure. If you have other questions not answered on this sheet, please don’t hesitate to call the Imaging Services Department at (765) 453-8413. Thank you for allowing us to service your healthcare needs.