Dysphagia among nursing home residents: an assessment and management protocol.
The literature suggests that 40% to 60% of nursing home residents have some degree of dysphagia, i.e., difficulty in swallowing. Poorly managed, this can lead to aspiration pneumonia; choking; chronic malnutrition; decreased quality of life; and frustration for residents, family, and staff. This article reviews the nursing literature on dysphagia management and then describes a comprehensive protocol to assess and manage patients with swallowing problems in long term care.
Shanley
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CERA, Concord Hospital C25, Concord, Australia 2139.
O'Loughlin
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G
D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010347:Patient Care Planning