Stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is common in acute stroke. A significant risk factor is dysphagia. To identify dysphagia, patients are screened using a bedside tool and those suspected of dysphagia then have a specialist Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) assessment. Currently there is a wide range of screening protocols used. The aim of this research is to investigate the variation in dysphagia assessment and management to identify what factors affect the risk of SAP. The type of screen and other variations in management and practice (such as time from hospital admission to when the screen is done) will be investigated to identify any associations with higher risk of SAP. A mixed methods study will include a systematic review of the literature, interviews with patients, carers and staff and a review of medical records to investigate the patient journey during the first 72 hours from admission. Findings will be triangulated to inform a national survey of dysphagia screening and management in hospitals registered with the Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP). Data from the survey will be cross-referenced with the SSNAP register and analysed to identify relationships. Results will inform development of an intervention to reduce SAP for subsequent feasibility testing.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Relationship between incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia and hospital teams using dysphagia screening protocols which use water only compared to water and other consistencies
Timeframe: SSNAP 2019 Patient Centred Post 72 hour cohort data will be used for stroke-associated pneumonia
Relationship between incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia and hospital teams using written guidelines for the first specialist swallow assessment compared to hospital teams that do not use written guidelines for the first specialist assessment
Timeframe: SSNAP 2019 Patient Centred Post 72 hour cohort data will be used for stroke-associated pneumonia
Relationship between incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia and hospital teams that insert nasogastric tubes overnight compared to hospital teams that do not insert nasogastric tubes overnight
Timeframe: SSNAP 2019 Patient Centred Post 72 hour cohort data will be used for stroke-associated pneumonia
Relationship between incidence of stroke-associated pneumonia and hospital teams with a written oral care protocol compared to hospital teams that do not have a written oral care protocol
Timeframe: SSNAP 2019 Patient Centred Post 72 hour cohort data will be used for stroke-associated pneumonia