PREVENTIVE AND GRADED SPEECH THERAPY INTERVENTION FOR DYSPHAGIA IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Abstract

Different publications report the high prevalence of dysphagia in the intensive care unit (ICU), up to 83%. The intervention of speech therapy within the critical patient care team, through diagnostic and therapeutic actions of dysphagia, contributes to the decomplexization of the upper aerodigestive tract, preventing the degree of impaired swallowing and avoiding secondary complications that can seriously compromise the general clinical evolution and prolong the length of stay in the ICU. A bibliographic review was carried out to support with evidence, the path of the diagnostic and therapeutic phonoaudiological approach proposed for care in the ICU. Fundamental clinical tools are described for the four levels of preventive and graded speech therapy intervention for the care of the critical patient and a general level of follow-up.