SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Factors and Outcomes Associated With Dysphagia in Hospitalized Persons With Dementia

Pdf Summary

This Northwell Health study examined dysphagia in hospitalized older adults with dementia using electronic health record data from seven hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. Because dysphagia is often underrecognized in retrospective data, the researchers used an expanded identification strategy that included nurse-documented positive bedside swallow screens, nurse notes of “difficulty swallowing” preventing screening, and physician-documented dysphagia.<br /><br />Among 8,637 hospitalized adults with dementia, dysphagia was identified in 41.8%. Patients with dysphagia were more likely to be older, male, Black or Asian, underweight, living in a facility before admission, and more medically ill.<br /><br />After adjusting for relevant clinical factors, dysphagia was strongly associated with worse hospital outcomes. Patients with dysphagia had higher odds of invasive mechanical ventilation, delirium, and mortality, and they also had longer hospital stays. There was no significant association with 30-day readmission.<br /><br />The study’s findings suggest that nurse-documented bedside swallow screening improves detection of dysphagia in the EHR and may support better large-scale research and clinical care. The authors note that this is the first study to link dysphagia with both delirium and mortality in hospitalized patients with dementia. They conclude that because dysphagia is common, frequently missed, and associated with poor outcomes, improving its identification could meaningfully affect treatment and research. They also call for prospective studies to explore how dementia type and dysphagia severity influence outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Alex Makhnevich

Meta Tag

Author List Alex Makhnevich, Allison Marziliano, Anum Ilyas, Jason Wang, Liron Sinvani, Meng Zhang, Michael Diefenbach, Michael Qiu, Suzanne Ardito, Syed E. Ahmad

Category Research

Concept Swallowing Impairment

Concept Dementia

Concept Hospitalized Older Adults

Concept Electronic Health Record

Concept Bedside Swallow Screening

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Northwell Health

Presenting Author Alex Makhnevich

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

dysphagia

dementia

hospitalized older adults

electronic health records

bedside swallow screening

delirium

mortality

mechanical ventilation

length of stay

Northwell Health

Swallowing Impairment

Dementia

Hospitalized Older Adults

Electronic Health Record

Bedside Swallow Screening