Megan Crawford, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-S
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Swallowing and Salivary Bioscience Lab at UW-Madison
Emergency Care for Infectious Diseases Lab at UW-Madison
Advanced Fellow in Women’s Health at the William S Middleton Veterans Hospital
Beyond Aspiration: Dysphagia Management, Pneumonia Risk, and Multisystemic Consequences in Acute Care in Acute Care
Dysphagia in acute and critical care is often simplified to a binary problem based on the presence or absence of aspiration. However, clinical outcomes emerge from complex interactions across multiple body systems. This seminar examines swallowing as a whole-body function shaped by neurologic status, cardiac and surgical factors, respiratory reserve, oral health, mobility, nutrition and other systemic influences. Using a case-based approach, the presentation will explore why similar swallowing findings may lead to different outcomes across patients. Current evidence and the presenter’s research will be integrated to examine pneumonia risk, common dysphagia management practices and how dysphagia findings should be considered alongside the broader clinical picture. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for balancing swallowing safety and efficiency with pulmonary risk, nutrition and hydration, patient goals, and quality of life in acute care decision-making.
Funding: Dr. Crawford receives a salary from the Department of Veterans Affairs