Abstract
The aim was to develop a dysphagia screening test for nurses. Method and sample: 32 physical assessment (PA) items relevant to swallowing were compared to flexible endoscopic examination of swallowing, using correlation coefficient phi. 171 respondents with a neurological or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) condition were enrolled.
The data were analyzed for 144 of the respondents. Statistically important or marginal PA items formed the basis for the screening test.
Results: The screening test consists of 8 items. Its sensitivity was 73.9-95.5 %; specificity: 25.8-46.7 %; negative predictive value: 53.8-88.9 % and positive predictive value: 47.7-68 %, depending on whether the testing included only respondents with a neurological or ENT condition or all the respondents.
Conclusion: The screening test is appropriate mainly for patients with a neurological condition.