The combination of bedside swallowing assessment and oxygen saturation monitoring of swallowing in acute stroke: a safe and humane screening tool

screening by saturation assessments detects 86% of aspirators/penetrators and should be followed immediately by bedside swallowing assessment, as the combination of the two assessments gives the best positive predictive value. For patients with acute stroke, we advocate a 10 ml water-swallow screening test with simultaneous pulse oximetry by suitably trained medical and nursing staff. Use of this screening test would improve dysphagia detection whilst minimizing unnecessary restriction of oral intake in stroke patients.