Abstract
This study aimed to explore the value of a multidisciplinary dysphagia and nutrition management system for the improvement of safe eating in hospitalized geriatric patients. We assembled a multidisciplinary team, consisting of a geriatric care team, a medical team, a rehabilitation team, professionals from the imaging center, and dietitians. Using the dysphagia and nutrition management system, we screened and assessed swallowing and eating dysfunction in geriatric patients admitted to our inpatient department and then provided instructions and swallowing exercises for patients with dysphagia. We measured the detection rate of patients with dysphagia and incidence of aspiration pneumonia. By applying the dysphagia and nutrition management system developed by our multidisciplinary team, the detection rate of patients with dysphagia increased significantly. Interventions of patients with dysphagia significantly decreased the incidence of aspiration pneumonia (P<0.05) and improved their nutritional status. Our multidisciplinary dysphagia and nutrition management system increased the detection rate of patients with dysphagia, improved safe eating, Prevention of aspiration and effective reduction of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients. At present, the application of multidisciplinary cooperative swallowing and eating nursing system in the feeding safety of hospitalized elderly patients is relatively few, hoping to play a certain reference or guiding role in the clinical work of nursing peers.
Highlights
Swallowing disorder management aims to improve safe eating
Ineffective swallowing of food and fluids, increased risk of aspiration [8], Many older people can not eat safely and efficiently, Occurrence of aspiration leading to aspiration pneumonia, asphyxia and other serious complications, It directly causes the increase of medical cost, the extension of hospitalization time and the increase of care pressure
There is a consensus among domestic experts on the evaluation and treatment of dysphagia [9,10], American Journal of Nursing Science 2021; 10(1): 8-12 but the recognition rate of dysphagia in elderly patients is low, And the clinical screening, treatment and nursing reports of multidisciplinary cooperation are less
Summary
Swallowing disorder management aims to improve safe eating. The goal of nursing care is to assess the swallowing and eating function of patients. Ineffective swallowing of food and fluids, increased risk of aspiration [8], Many older people can not eat safely and efficiently, Occurrence of aspiration leading to aspiration pneumonia, asphyxia and other serious complications, It directly causes the increase of medical cost, the extension of hospitalization time and the increase of care pressure. In July 2018, the nursing department in our hospital assembled a multidisciplinary team to assess swallowing function in geriatric patients and provide more competent care for patients with dysphagia.
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