FEES to Determine Neurological Intensive Care Patients' Oral Diet

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) to Determine Neurological Patients' Oral Diet

Dysphagia is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Adjusting the oral diet of ICU-patients based on flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) findings might reduce pneumonia rate, mortality and need for intubation/tracheotomy.

Dysphagia, a common complication in neurological disorders, leads to high rates of mortality and morbidity. It is prevalent in critically ill patients, especially those who need mechanical ventilation. The investigators therefore investigate the effect of adjusting the oral diet of our intensive care unit (ICU) patients based on flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) findings, thereby assessing the impact of FEES on a neurological ICU. All patients treated on the investigators neurological ICU will be eligible for this study.

The investigators will correlate findings with baseline data, disability status, pneumonia and duration of hospitalisation, as well as a need for mechanical ventilation or a tracheotomy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Treatment on neurological ICU
• Clinical suspicion of Dysphagia

Exclusion Criteria:

• none