Best practice recommendations for dysphagia management in stroke patients: a consensus from a portuguese expert panel

Abstract Dysphagia is frequent after stroke, and it increases the risk of respiratory infection, dehydration and malnutrition, resulting in worse outcomes. Different clinical guidelines present recommendations for the assessment and management of dysphagia in stroke patients in a scattered way. These best practice recommendations address seven clinical questions on the assessment and management of dysphagia in stroke patients, gathering the best-updated evidence. A systematic literature review using the PICO strategy was performed. The recommendations draft was then appraised by a multidisciplinary panel of experts (nutritionists, physiatrists, speech-language pathologists and rehabilitation nurses) in a total of 3 Delphi rounds. A minimum of 80% consensus was established, and the final version offers a total of 21 recommendations for use in clinical practice for stroke patients. These clinical recommendations are an overview of the most recent evidence combined with experts’ consensus and translated into clinically relevant statements. In implementing recommendations at the local level, health professionals should identify facilitators and barriers to evidence-based practice within their contexts and determine the best strategies to address local needs. Where the change is needed, initial and continuing training on all recommendations is essential and relevant.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Oliveira,Isabel de Jesus, Couto,Germano Rodrigues, Santos,Rosa Vilares, Campolargo,Ana Maria, Lima,Cláudia, Ferreira,Pedro Lopes
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública 2021
Online Access:	http://scielo.pt/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2504-31452021000300145
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!