ESSD Commentary on Dysphagia Management During COVID Pandemia
Dysphagia
Schindler, A., Baijens, L. W. J., et al. (2021).
Dysphagia, 36, 764-767.
This guideline from the European Society for Swallowing Disorders provides recommendations on service delivery and clinical procedures for dysphagia patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
European Society for Swallowing Disorders (Spain)
<div>For patients who are positive for COVID-19, cough reflex testing, gag testing, voluntary cough, and cervical auscultation should be avoided. Clinicians working with COVID-19 positive patients should wear personal protective equipment and use additional precautions such as keeping a distance from the patient as much as possible, encouraging patients to wear a mask and wash their hands, and limiting the amount of time exposed to the patient.</div>
<div>During the COVID-19 pandemic, assessment instruments and equipment should be appropriately cleaned prior to conducting an instrumental assessment of swallowing (e.g., videofluoroscopic swallow study, fiberoptic endoscopic swallow study, manometry).</div>
<div>During the COVID-19 pandemic, as a safety precaution, telepractice is encouraged for dysphagia management and treatment.</div>
<div>For patients who have dysphagia and are positive for COVID-19, compensatory techniques for dysphagia are recommended. Coughing maneuvers and all aerosol-generating procedures (e.g., thermotactile stimulation) should be avoided in the presence of clinicians. Self-oral care should be encouraged.</div>
<div>During the COVID-19 pandemic, elective, non-urgent dysphagia assessment may be postponed temporarily. Patients at-risk for developing complications (e.g., aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition) or with life-threatening underlying diseases such as head and neck cancer may undergo dysphagia assessment procedures. <br><br>All patients, no matter their COVID-19 status, should be triaged to determine whether dysphagia assessment is necessary or if it can be delayed.</div>
