Dysphagia Management in an Acute Care Setting in a Patient Post–COVID-19: A Case Report With Review of Literature

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 infection, commonly referred to as “COVID-19,” can affect swallowing function due to its impact on various organ systems. Cases of dysphagia in individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms are generally minor. However, for patients with preexisting conditions, it can lead to significant exacerbation in the severity of symptoms and lead to further complications, including aspiration pneumonia. This case report aims to provide a roadmap for clinical decision making and treatment recommendations for patients with acute illnesses such as COVID-19. It reviews the literature on best practices for assessment and management of dysphagia and highlights their application for positive patient outcomes. Method: A geriatric patient with suspected preexisting dysphagia, based on his subjective reports of symptoms and his use of independent compensatory swallowing strategies, presented to the hospital with COVID-19 respiratory symptoms and severe oropharyngeal dysphagia. The following report presents the patient's clinical findings and discusses diagnostic assessments, therapeutic interventions, and patient outcomes. Results: The patient exhibited significant improvement in swallowing function during the hospital course with implementation of evidence-based dysphagia treatment, a multidisciplinary team approach, and a shared decision-making model. Conclusions: Exacerbation in the severity of dysphagia in geriatric patients can cause a significant impact on patients' health and lead to complications such as aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, and oral infection. Using evidence-based theories and objective metrics, clinicians can achieve positive patient outcomes while mitigating the need for more invasive and aggressive treatments.