Summary of Best Evidence for Prevention of Aspiration in the Aged

Abstract

Objective: To retrieve, evaluate, and integrate evidence on the prevention of aspiration in older adults, with the aim of reducing the incidence of aspiration and improving the quality of care. Methods: Following the 6S pyramid model of evidence-based resources, domestic and international databases and websites for clinical decisions, recommended practices, evidence summaries, guidelines, expert consensuses, systematic reviews, and consensus statements related to aspiration prevention in older adults were systematically searched. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the literature and extracted evidence according to thematic areas. The search period extended from the inception of each database to March 2025. Results: A total of 21 publications were included, comprising 8 guidelines, 6 expert consensuses, 2 systematic reviews, 2 clinical decisions, 1 evidence summary, 1 best practice recommendation, and 1 consensus statement. From these, 28 best evidence recommendations were summarized across seven areas: oropharyngeal cleansing, secretion management, positioning, feeding care, observation and monitoring, artificial airway care, and rehabilitation training and guidance. Conclusion: This study summarizes the best available evidence for preventing aspiration in older adults. Healthcare professionals should apply these recommendations in conjunction with clinical context and patient preferences to ensure patient safety and reduce the risk of aspiration.

Keywords

Aged / Aspiration / Prevention / Evidence-based nursing / Evidence summary

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