Navigating Nutrition Complexity in Critical Care: A Focus on Swallowing Function and Rehabilitation.

Abstract

During the past decade, there has been an increased research focus on the prevalence, nature, and impact of newly acquired critical illness dysphagia. Disordered function can impact the safety and efficiency across all stages of the swallow mechanism, with detrimental impacts on patients’ body systems, function, and participation. Accurate assessment of swallow function is key to informed diagnosis and enhances intervention planning. We discuss the current evidence base around dysphagia pathophysiology with a detailed discussion considering the modes of ventilation commonly received in intensive care units. Assessment and management across critical illness are evaluated and future research efforts are presented.