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Patient with abnormal swallow(dysphagia)on bedside assessment had a higher risk of chest infection(P=.05)and a poor nutritional stage(P<.001).The presence of dysphagia was associated with an increased risk of death(P=. 001),disability(P=.02),length of hospital stay(P<.001),an institutional care(P<.05).When other factors were taken into account,dysphagia remained as an independent predictor of outcome only with regard to mortality.The use of videofluoroscopy in detecting aspiration did not add to the value of bedside assessment.Bedside assessment of swallowing is of use in identifying patients at risk of developing complications.The value of routine screening with videofluoroscopy to detect aspiration is questioned. |
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