Diagnostic accuracy of bedside screening tools for aspiration risk in acute stroke: commentary on a Cochrane review

Abstract

Dysphagia is common after stroke and can lead to serious complications including pneumonia and mortality. Bedside swallow screening tools for aspiration risk associated with dysphagia are available for use by healthcare professionals to quickly assess patients, put in place the necessary interventions and make referral to speech and language therapy. A Cochrane systematic review aimed to identify the diagnostic accuracy of such tools for use in practice ( Boaden et al, 2021 ). This commentary critically appraises and evaluates the systematic review and expands upon the findings in the context of clinical practice and further research.