Kazuko Nishimura, RN, Hitoshi Kagaya, MD, DMSc, Seiko Shibata, MD, DMSc,
Keiko Onogi, MD, DMSc, Yoko Inamoto, SLHT, DMSc, Kikuo Ota, MD, DMSc,
Tatsuto Miki , RN, Shigeru Tamura, RN, Eiichi Saitoh, MD, DMSc
Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 6: 124-128, 2015
Objective: This study compared the Dysphagia
Severity Scale (DSS) scores obtained from clinical
findings and screening tests by a skilled nurse with the
DSS scores obtained by videoendoscopic evaluation
of swallowing (VE).
Methods: Forty-five dysphagic patients (average age:
75 years) were enrolled in this study between July
2011 and March 2012. DSS scores were obtained from
clinical findings and screening tests done by a certified
nurse of dysphagia nursing (CNDN). DSS scores were
re-evaluated by a dysphagia care team in swallowing
rounds using VE. DSS scores obtained using our
protocol, CNDN, and swallowing rounds were
compared.
Results: DSS scores revealed 64% consistency
between the protocol and the swallowing rounds, 91%
consistency between the CNDN and the swallowing
rounds, and 69% consistency between the protocol
and the CNDN.
Conclusion: Our results indicate that the DSS scores
based on clinical findings and screening tests obtained
by a skilled CNDN are accurate and consistent with
the DSS rating obtained by the swallowing rounds and
the protocol.
Key words: certified nurse of dysphagia nursing, screening tests, videoendoscopic evaluation of swallowing, Dysphagia Severity Scale