Association between Nursing and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in identifying risk for dysphagia: analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective to investigate and demonstrate the association between the self-perceived swallowing assessment carried out by nurses and the dysphagia risk classification carried out by speech therapists in hospitalized elderly patients. Method an analytical cross-sectional study using the Eating Assessment Tool and the Speech and Hearing Therapy Protocol for Dysphagia Risk Assessment in 52 elderly patients in a medical clinic, as well as collecting sociodemographic data and health conditions. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression for odds ratios were used for statistical analysis. Results there was an association (p=0.01) between the nurse's assessment and that of the speech therapist, with an odds ratio of a hospitalized elderly person exposed to the risk of dysphagia by the Eating Assessment Tool presenting a change in the Speech Therapy Protocol for Dysphagia Risk Assessment (OR 3.89 95% CI: 1.10-13.68). Conclusion and implications for practice the findings indicate that there is an association between the nurse's assessment and that of the speech therapist in swallowing disorders and that Nursing can act to identify risks, prevent and rehabilitate dysphagia.