Tag: Healthcare communication

Before the IDDSI framework was established, a survey of dysphagia diet practices revealed over 54 different names for food textures and 27 for liquid thicknesses across just 33 countries, leading to significant confusion. This widespread inconsistency posed serious risks, including choking, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition for individuals with swallowing difficulties.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition—encompassing both undernutrition and overnutrition—presents significant threats to human health and can severely impact patient outcomes during hospitalization. For nurses, understanding the ethical dimensions of nutrition and diet is crucial to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care that aligns with their professional responsibilities. This involves respecting patient choices, ensuring access to adequate nutrition, and navigating difficult decisions, such as end-of-life care.