SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Risk Factors for Aspiration Events in Hospitalized Patients

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This retrospective chart review examined serious in-hospital aspiration events on medicine wards and a stepdown unit at a 900-bed academic safety-net hospital from October 2023 to October 2025. The study included 63 cases from a safety event reporting system, classified as either suspected aspiration events (highly likely and documented by the medical team) or possible aspiration events (likely but not definitive).<br /><br />The patient population had a median age of 62 years, with common comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke, dementia, CHF, COPD, CKD, cirrhosis, and active malignancy. Many patients had prolonged hospital stays, with a median length of stay of 19 days.<br /><br />Results showed substantial morbidity and mortality. Forty-one percent of aspiration events were associated with in-hospital cardiac arrest, and 17% led to acute respiratory compromise. Most patients (70%) required transfer to a higher level of care, and only 48% survived to discharge. Thirty-day mortality was 57%.<br /><br />The most common suspected cause of aspiration was emesis (46% of events), including cases related to gastrointestinal obstruction or ileus and tube feeds. Choking on food or pills was also frequent, as was aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions. Importantly, some events occurred even without classic predisposing factors such as frequent emesis or known dysphagia.<br /><br />Overall, the study highlights that aspiration events on general medical wards and stepdown units are associated with high morbidity and mortality, often involve multiple overlapping risk factors, and may benefit from earlier recognition and targeted prevention strategies.

Asset Subtitle

Anita Hegde

Meta Tag

Author List Anita Hegde

Category Research

Concept Aspiration Event

Concept Risk Factor

Concept Cardiac Arrest

Concept Respiratory Compromise

Concept Mortality

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization UT Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Health

Presenting Author Anita Hegde

Track Patient Safety

Keywords

aspiration events

in-hospital aspiration

medicine wards

stepdown unit

cardiac arrest

mortality

emesis

dysphagia

tube feeds

safety event reporting

Aspiration Event

Risk Factor

Cardiac Arrest

Respiratory Compromise

Mortality