[fatoma]

from your experience and what you read from the literature...does head of bed elevation prevent or decrease the incidence of aspiration?

thank you for any input

[JohnW]

Originally Posted by fatoma

from your experience and what you read from the literature...does head of bed elevation prevent or decrease the incidence of aspiration?

thank you for any input

Not sure what you mean here? Are we talking about non-vented people? It's comon sense and comon knowledge that for any patient with trouble swallowing that you sit them straight up when you feed them. Or are we talking about people getting TFs? Or are we talking about vented patients and "micro" aspiration around the cuff (VAP bundle stuff)?

[fatoma]

I am talking here about non-vented patient generally with or without tube feeding(the controversial here.. is HOB elevation prevent or reduce aspiration?)...can aspiration occur with HOB elevation when there is a decrease in mentation level?

[JohnW]

Originally Posted by fatoma

I am talking here about non-vented patient generally with or without tube feeding(the controversial here.. is HOB elevation prevent or reduce aspiration?)...can aspiration occur with HOB elevation when there is a decrease in mentation level?

Of course, sitting someone straight up will help prevent apiration, but it's certainly not a cure all. Many people with MS changes are not safe to eat (or eat everything) and deserve a S&S consult. Don't forget lots of people are silent aspirators, use extreme caution feeding someone with a change in MS.