A bedside swallowing screen for the identification of post-extubation dysphagia on the intensive care unit - validation of the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS)-ICU.

Purpose: Screening for dysphagia at the intensive care unit (ICU) soon after extubation can prevent aspiration, pneumonia, lower mortality, and shorten re-feeding interval. This study aimed to modify the Gugging Swallowing Screen (GUSS), which was developed for acute stroke patients, and to validate it for extubated patients in the ICU.

Methods: In this prospective study, forty-five patients who had been intubated for at least 24 h were recruited consecutively at the earliest 24 h after extubation.