Best Methods Of Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention

By Karen Roberts


Aspiration pneumonia can be defined as an infection that tends to greatly affect the lungs and it is viewed to be as a result of either liquid or food materials going down through the trachea to the human lungs. A patient who might be diagnosed with such disease is first refereed to a special language pathologist who is mandated to evaluate the swallowing problems. There exist some best methods which can be used in aspiration pneumonia prevention.

The long term prevention strategies tends to greatly involve a team approach. Nurses, dietitians, physicians, nursing assistants plus rehab professionals all tend to play a great role especially in the plan care but services of special language pathologists are also required as they are the ones who evaluate the swallowing ability of an individual while at the same time determining adequate food and liquids intake.

Sedation is another method which can be used. Sedation is viewed to reduce both the cough and the gag reflexes while at the same time interfering with an individuals ability of handling both the refluxed contents of gastric together with oropharyngeal secretions. Additionally sedation is viewed to effectively slow down the emptying of gastric. So as to effectively minimize the risks associated with aspiration it is necessary to try and use the lowest effective sedation level.

Assessment of the feeding tube placement at regular intervals is another preventative strategy. Panels of experts have recommended that correct placement of feeding tube need to be effectively verified at some regular intervals so as to reduce the risk of contracting this kind of disease. In cases where feeding is administrated at some wrong sites, the risks associated with this particular illness is greatly increased.

Prevention strategies for long term must have a team of experts approach. Dietitians, nurses, rehab experts, physicians without forgetting nursing assistants usually have a great role in the plan care although the special language pathologist services are important since he is a professional who has to evaluate the ability of swallowing of any particular patients. The SLP is also supposed to determine the correct amounts of both food and liquid intake of a patient.

Those who might be viewed to be at risks are supposed to go through a thorough intervention which focuses on immune system support. For instance such an intervention encourages fluid and food intake at meals. It is also important to treat a condition known as GI as it might hinder nutrients absorption.

If there is any particular condition which is unpleasing it is supposed to be treated immediately. Assessment of nutritional status, hydration without forgetting the functioning of the respiratory is supposed to be done in a well equipped lab as this provides an insight on the ability of a patient to fend off an infection.

Continuous method of feeding is mostly used in the most critical types of care units. In conclusion this illness once contracted by a patient it does not resolve by just as single intervention. Patients who might be at risks are remain at this risk which is significantly dependent on fluctuations in nutritional together with their health status.




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