Preventing Aspiration Complications: Implementing a Swallow Screening Tool

Conclusion: Our findings suggest implementation of a nursing-led aspiration risk screening process with acutely ill patients is a factor in decreasing patient mortality from acquired aspiration. These clinical practice changes of identifying patients at risk of aspirating and involving dysphagia therapists prior to oral intake increase patient safety while decreasing acquired aspiration mortality. Impact: This study addressed upward trends in patient mortality with acquired aspiration. Mortality rates declined after implementation of the aspiration risk screening process on hospitalized patients. These findings have potential to impact healthcare personnel and all acutely ill hospitalized patients.
Source: Clinical Nurse Specialist - Category: Nursing Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research