Effective Strategies On Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention

By Karen Roberts


Aspiration pneumonia is basically an infection which affects the lungs and is supposed to be caused by food materials or liquid particles which goes down through the trachea to the lungs. Any individuals who might be diagnosed with this kind of a disease are always referred to the SLP which stands for special language pathologists whose work involves swallowing problem evaluation. There are several proven strategies which can be used in aspiration pneumonia prevention for those individuals who might be at high risk.

Elevation of the bed head is actually one of such methods. It has been viewed that constant supine position tends to greatly improve on gastro esophageal reflux together with aspiration probability. It is advisable to elevate the head of beds to angel of about thirty to forty five degrees for those patients who are at high risk of contracting this kind of a disease.

Sedation tends to minimize both the gag reflexes together with the cough while interfering with the ability of a patient to handle the secretions of the oropharyngeal and gastric reflux content. Sedation is also necessary as it effectively slows down the gastric discharging. It is always advisable to use the lowest effective sedation level with aim of effectively minimizing the risk of this particular disease.

The feeding tube place assessment at some regular intervals is also a crucial preventive method. A specialist panel concerned with this illness have suggested that proper tube placement must be verified at some intervals regularly if the risk associated with contracting this disease is to be reduced. In the instances where tube feeding is actually administered at incorrect positions then the chances of contracting aspiration is greatly increased.

Individuals who are at a high risk are also advised to rinse their mouth using an antiseptic mouthwash. In case of any existing condition individuals are encouraged to make sure that such condition is effectively treated. Assessments of hydration, nutritional status as well as respiratory function which should be carried out in the lab is also viewed as crucial preventive measure since this is a procedure which actually gives an insight to an individuals ability to fend off any given infection.

Some guidelines have been developed by specialists which suggest that those patient whom are at a high risk of contracting this kind of a disease need to be regularly monitored especially for tolerance up to the enteral feeding whereby one is supposed to be noting abdominal pains complains, abdominal distention while at the same time monitoring volumes of gastric residual.

If there is any particular condition which is unpleasing it is supposed to be treated immediately. Assessment of nutritional status, hydration without forgetting the functioning of the respiratory is supposed to be done in a well equipped lab as this provides an insight on the ability of a patient to fend off an infection.

Continuous method of feeding is mostly used in the most critical types of care units. In conclusion this illness once contracted by a patient it does not resolve by just as single intervention. Patients who might be at risks are remain at this risk which is significantly dependent on fluctuations in nutritional together with their health status.




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