Dysphagia in the Intensive Care Units in Turkey: A Cross-sectional Survey Study

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the current dysphagia practices and their defined awareness in the intensive care units (ICUs) in Turkey. Materials and Methods: The study was part of an international, multi-center survey, called Dysphagia in Intensive Care Evaluation. The survey included questions related to the descriptive information and questions under three subgroups, including current practice, awareness, and perceived best practice, and was sent to ICU department managers via Google forms for them to answer on behalf of their ICU. Results: A total of 39 responses were received, which revealed no standard protocol in all ICUs that indicates which patients should be screened for dysphagia. Cough reflex testing and water swallow tests were the most common methods to confirm dysphagia. Oral hygiene, postural adjustments, modifications, and delay feeding and retry the next day were reported as the most common preventions for aspiration, and repetitive swallowing exercises/maneuvers, muscle strengthening exercises, and respiratory exercises were most common for dysphagia treatment. The awarenessrelated survey items revealed a mean score of >5 on a 7-level Likert scale. Conclusion: Dysphagia practice in the ICUs in Turkey needs improvement, with established standardized management protocol.