Purpose: This paper sought to evaluate patients receiving assistance from resident speech-language therapists at a school hospital emergency room. Methods: Both adult and elderly patients were included in this study. In total, 150 individuals of both genders, including adults between the ages of 20-59 years and elderly individuals over 60 years of age, who were hospitalized from March 2010 to March 2012 were studied.
Results:The patients were predominantly male and elderly, with incomplete elementary school education and a low income, and originated from the capital city and metropolitan region. The medical diagnoses predominantly revealed circulatory diseases, digestive disorders, and nervous system disorders. The speech-language therapy diagnoses showed normal swallowing function, neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia, and esophageal dysphagia. Conclusion: The prevalence of age-related systemic disorders may lead to swallowing disorders, which could trigger complications such as longer hospital stays. Therefore, the presence of a speech-language therapist in an emergency room is important to assess, diagnose, and treat swallowing disorders.
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