TY - JOUR

T1 - Postextubation dysphagia management in Danish intensive care units

T2 - A national survey

AU - Nielsen, Anne Højager

AU - Kaldan, Gudrun

AU - Gade, Lotte Madsen

AU - Egerod, Ingrid

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

PY - 2024

Y1 - 2024

N2 - Background: Postextubation dysphagia (PED) is a common complication to endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients and may lead to pneumonia, prolonged ventilation, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality. Recognizing dysphagia is paramount to preventing adverse events. The aim of this study was to describe PED management by investigating practice in Danish intensive care units (ICUs) focusing on current practice in 2023 (screening, prevention, and treatment), perceived best practice (barriers and facilitators), and when possible, to compare practice in 2017 and 2023. Methods: Self-reported, cross-sectional survey of dysphagia practice in Danish ICUs administered from April to May 2023. In addition, data were compared with the 2017 Dysphagia in Intensive Care Evaluation study, when possible. Results: Only half of Danish ICUs reported to have a PED protocol, and less than half routinely screen patients for dysphagia after extubation. Most common screening methods were the oral mechanism examination, water test, and Facio-oral tract therapy. Nurses and physicians often relied on an overall physical assessment of the patient. Best treatment methods were uniformly agreed to be patient positioning, modification of food and fluids, use of ergonomic utensils, and compensatory maneuvers. Key barriers to dysphagia management were lack of specialized staff, under-recognition of dysphagia as a health issue, and lack of standardized protocols. Conclusion: Awareness of PED is increasing and identification, prevention, and treatment is slowly improving, but systematic implementation of protocols for dysphagia screening and treatment could enhance dysphagia management in Danish ICUs.

AB - Background: Postextubation dysphagia (PED) is a common complication to endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients and may lead to pneumonia, prolonged ventilation, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality. Recognizing dysphagia is paramount to preventing adverse events. The aim of this study was to describe PED management by investigating practice in Danish intensive care units (ICUs) focusing on current practice in 2023 (screening, prevention, and treatment), perceived best practice (barriers and facilitators), and when possible, to compare practice in 2017 and 2023. Methods: Self-reported, cross-sectional survey of dysphagia practice in Danish ICUs administered from April to May 2023. In addition, data were compared with the 2017 Dysphagia in Intensive Care Evaluation study, when possible. Results: Only half of Danish ICUs reported to have a PED protocol, and less than half routinely screen patients for dysphagia after extubation. Most common screening methods were the oral mechanism examination, water test, and Facio-oral tract therapy. Nurses and physicians often relied on an overall physical assessment of the patient. Best treatment methods were uniformly agreed to be patient positioning, modification of food and fluids, use of ergonomic utensils, and compensatory maneuvers. Key barriers to dysphagia management were lack of specialized staff, under-recognition of dysphagia as a health issue, and lack of standardized protocols. Conclusion: Awareness of PED is increasing and identification, prevention, and treatment is slowly improving, but systematic implementation of protocols for dysphagia screening and treatment could enhance dysphagia management in Danish ICUs.

KW - deglutition

KW - dysphagia

KW - intensive care

KW - screening

KW - survey

KW - swallowing

U2 - 10.1111/aas.14438

DO - 10.1111/aas.14438

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38719567

AN - SCOPUS:85192388862

JO - Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica

JF - Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica

SN - 0001-5172

ER -