Improving Care of patients with a swallow deemed to be at risk of aspiration (AROA)

Abstract

Quality improvement project looking at care of patients who have a poor swallow and due to other comorbidities, after MDT discussion are deemed appropriate to be fed at risk of aspiration. The most common cause of this on the Elderly care wards is that of advanced dementia. These patients often come back into hospital with recurrent aspirations and patients and their family have multiple discussions about their swallowing status and advanced care planning. We therefore decided to try and improve communication about these difficult decisions so as to provide appropriate care in and out of hospital.