straws and aspiration risk

[thisgirldrums]

i'm a new employee (nursing student/CNA) training on an ortho-neuro floor. we learned in nursing school not to use straws w/patients who are at risk for aspiration, however they do this routinely on this floor. (i witnessed an aspiration risk patient choke extensively after being given liquid - thickened liquid - through a straw). i'm interested in reading opinions about this...most specifically, what should i do about it?

[Tenesma]

it is very easy --- no straws for patients with aspiration risk: the act of using a straw requires the quick reflexes of switching from active inhalation to a swallow - something that patients with aspiration risk cannot do safely... so no more straws