Get Aspiration Precautions - Clinical Guidelines

Mixing pills with food helps reduce risk for aspiration. Stop continual feeding temporarily when turning or moving patient. When turning or moving a patient, it is difficult to keep the head elevated to prevent regurgitation and possible aspiration. Provide oral care before and after meals.

PREVENTION OF ASPIRATION DURING HAND FEEDING: * Sit the person upright in a chair; if confined to bed, elevate the backrest to a 90-degree angle. * Slightly flexing the person's head to achieve a 'chin-down' position is helpful in reducing aspiration in some types of dysphagia (Shanahan, et al, 1993).

When a patient begins aspirating, you must begin suctioning the airway immediately. Mortality is closely tied to the volume of fluid a patient aspirates. By promptly suctioning the airway, you reduce exposure to contaminants and can lower the risk of hypoxia and other complications.

Eat in a chair or sit upright while you eat. This will help prevent choking. ... Eat small amounts slowly. Do not eat or drink with a straw. ... Avoid distractions while you eat. ... Make sure your dentures fit correctly. ... Limit spicy foods and caffeine. ... Drink water with your meals. ... Do not smoke.

Specific measures for preventing aspiration include: 1) patient positioning, 2) oral care; 3) assessment of nasogastric tube placement; 4) tube feeding technique; 5) measuring residual gastric volume; and, 6) avoiding the use of sedating drugs.

Body positions that minimize aspiration include the reclining position, chin down, head rotation, side inclination, the recumbent position, and combinations of these. Patients with severe dysphagia often use a 30° reclining position.

Abstract. Aspiration pneumonia is common in older people. To reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia, maintenance of good oral hygiene is important and medications affecting salivary flow or causing sedation are best avoided, if possible. The use of H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors should be minimised.

Avoid distractions when you're eating and drinking, such as talking on the phone or watching TV. Cut your food into small, bite-sized pieces. ... Eat and drink slowly. Sit up straight when eating or drinking, if you can. If you're eating or drinking in bed, use a wedge pillow to lift yourself up.

Rest before your start your meals. Take small bites or cut food into smaller pieces. Swallow completely before drinking. Sit upright at 90 degrees when you eat. Choose food types that are easier for you to chew and swallow. Practice chewing and swallowing techniques, if provided.