Can we prevent aspiration pneumonia in the nursing home?
Aspiration pneumonia is a significant cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality in the nursing home population. Patients who aspirate have three times higher mortality than patients who do not aspirate. We discuss the factors known to increase the risk of aspiration and its consequences, and recognize some of the preventive measures for aspiration pneumonia. We suggest approaches to decrease the risk of this very prevalent syndrome.
Oh
Eliza
E
UCLA School of Medicine, Multicampus Program in Geriatrics and Gerontology, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Weintraub
Nancy
N
Dhanani
Shawkat
S
D000368:Aged; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors