Abstract

Many studies have shown that the nutritional status of patients significantly affects the prognosis of treatment. The term dysphagia is used to describe swallowing disorders in clinical trials. This is the most difficult group about the ways in which nutritional treatment should be given to the patients who have functional gastrointestinal system but have the risk of aspiration due to dysphagia and blurred consciousness. A new algorithm has been developed to help clinicians make nutritional treatment decisions in this patient group in accordance with the experience of the Dysphagia Unit operating in our hospital since May 2017. The basic objective of the algorithm is to supply all nutritional needs of patients with dysphagia by minimal invasive procedures, minimal risk of infection, and minimal complication.

Keywords: Algorithm, dysphagia, clinical nutrition unit, dysphagia unit, swallowing disorders