What is the purpose of dysphagia screening in acute stroke patients?
The purpose of dysphagia screening in acute stroke patients is to identify those at increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. Dysphagia is a common (37%-78%) complication of acute stroke and is associated with higher mortality and worse patient outcomes. Although there is insufficient evidence to determine whether implementation of a dysphagia screening protocol reduces the risk of death or dependency, it is still recommended as a screening practice.