SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Effect of Aspiration Prevention Program Using Guss in Elderly Patients

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This study evaluated whether an aspiration prevention program using the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS) could improve outcomes for elderly hospitalized patients with acute medical illness and risk factors for dysphagia. Aspiration pneumonia is a major concern in older adults because it increases both morbidity and mortality.<br /><br />At Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, a quality improvement program was introduced in April 2021 for patients aged 65 years or older admitted to the acute medical unit. Patients at risk for dysphagia were screened with GUSS, and feeding recommendations were adjusted according to swallowing function. The researchers retrospectively compared 197 elderly inpatients who did not receive the program with 110 who did. After one-to-one propensity score matching, 96 patients remained in each group.<br /><br />The main findings showed no significant differences between groups in length of hospital stay, NPO duration, weight change, or albumin change at discharge. However, the program was associated with a much lower risk of readmission within 90 days. The hazard ratio was 0.085, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.025 to 0.290 (p<0.001). In patients who did not undergo VFSS, those without the aspiration prevention program had about a 20-fold higher 90-day readmission rate than those who participated in the program (p=0.0041).<br /><br />In conclusion, the GUSS-based aspiration prevention program appeared effective in reducing 90-day readmissions among elderly patients with acute medical illness. The authors noted that further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Asset Subtitle

Ji Eun Song

Meta Tag

Author List Eun Sun Kim, Hee-Sun Park, Hye Won Kim, Ji Eun Song, Jihye Kim, Jiwon Ryu, Jongchan Lee, Jung Hun Ohn, Nak-Hyun Kim, Sun-Wook Kim, Yejee Lim

Category Research

Concept Aspiration Prevention

Concept Gugging Swallowing Screen

Concept Readmission

Concept Swallowing Impairment

Concept Quality Improvement Program

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Seoul National University Bundang Hospital

Presenting Author Ji Eun Song

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

aspiration prevention

Gugging Swallowing Screen

GUSS

elderly inpatients

dysphagia screening

acute medical illness

aspiration pneumonia

readmission reduction

quality improvement program

swallowing function

Aspiration Prevention

Gugging Swallowing Screen

Readmission

Swallowing Impairment

Quality Improvement Program