Application of a Multidisciplinary Dysphagia and Nutrition Management System to Improve Safe Eating in Hospitalized Geriatric Patients

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.