Association between nasal patency and orofacial myofunctional changes in patients with asthma and rhinitis.

PURPOSE: To verify the association between orofacial myofunctional changes and nasal patency. METHOD: Observational study of 43 children and adolescents with asthma and/or rhinitis, aged between 5 and 14 years, from May 2017 to September 2019. Patients underwent peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) for nasal patency assessment and orofacial myofunctional assessment. Clinical data were obtained from an interview on the day of the patients' medical evaluation. The relationship between orofacial myofunctional changes and PNIF was analyzed using a logistic regression model. Estimates were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). We evaluated multicollinearity using the variance inflation factor and analyzed the adjusted fit with the Akaike information criterion and McFadden's R2 metric; p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Inadequate positioning of the mandible (OR = 11.22; 95%CI 1.83-69; p = 0.009) and the presence of tension in the facial muscles during the swallowing of liquid (OR = 4.61; 95%CI 1.31-16.20; p = 0.017) were associated with altered PNIF in children and adolescents with asthma and rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Children and adolescents with asthma and rhinitis along with reduced nasal patency presented orofacial myofunctional changes, such as inadequate positioning of the jaw and the presence of tension in the facial muscles during swallowing of liquid.

Telehealth in audiology: an integrative review.

We performed an integrative review on the scientific literature about the use of telehealth in audiology care. Through high criteria search of published studies on the "Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde" - Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, nine articles were selected. It was possible to verify that the use of telehealth in audiology is feasible and efficient, because it could promote audiological care for patients from away places. This process reaches more patients and communities by breaking down geographic barriers, and it offers a specific service not available with less cost and more quickly when compared with traditional speech therapy care.

Prática segura de audiologistas durante a pandemia de SARS-CoV-2 no Brasil / Safe practice of audiologists during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil

RESUMO A doença de coronavírus (COVID-19) é causada pela síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). O vírus é transmitido, principalmente, por gotículas, espirros e aerossóis e pode ser transmitido mesmo entre pacientes assintomáticos, havendo risco de contágio durante os procedimentos do audiologista, que utiliza e reutiliza equipamentos clínicos em uma ampla variedade de pacientes. Este artigo teve como objetivo descrever as etapas que podem ser adotadas pelos audiologistas para diminuir o risco de contaminação cruzada na prática clínica, durante a pandemia de SARS-CoV-2. Recomenda-se, portanto, a esses profissionais, o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, incluindo respiradores N95, luvas de procedimento, protetores para calçados descartáveis, protetores faciais ou óculos de segurança, gorros e aventais descartáveis, além de seguir, rigorosamente, os protocolos de biossegurança durante os cuidados audiológicos.

ABSTRACT Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2). This virus is transmitted mainly by droplets, sneezes and aerosols and can be transmitted even among asymptomatic patients, so there is a risk of transmission during the audiologist's procedures which, in addition, use and reuse clinical equipment in a wide variety of patients. This article aims to describe the steps that can be taken by the audiologist in order to decrease the risk of cross-contamination in clinical practice during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Brazil. During the COVID-19 pandemic, audiologists are recommended to use personal protective equipment including N95 respirators, clinical gloves, disposable shoe covers, face shields or safety glasses, hair covers and disposable aprons, in addition to strictly following biosafety protocols during audiological care.

COVID-19 e disfagia: guia prático para atendimento hospitalar seguro - número 1 / COVID-19 and dysphagia: practical guide to safe hospital care - number 1

RESUMO A pandemia da COVID-19 é associada com o novo tipo do coronavírus, o SARS-Cov-2, que causa síndrome respiratória aguda grave. Esse vírus afeta o trato respiratório superior e é transmitido, principalmente, por gotículas, espirros e aerossóis e, por isso, há um alto risco de transmissão durante os procedimentos do fonoaudiólogo que atua no ambiente hospitalar. O objetivo deste artigo foi descrever as iniciativas que podem ser adotadas pelo fonoaudiólogo que atende pacientes à beira do leito, com disfagia, visando diminuir o risco de contaminação cruzada na prática clínica durante a pandemia do SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a new strain of coronavirus, SARS-Cov-2, which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. This virus affects the upper respiratory tract and is transmitted mainly by droplets, sneezes and aerosols, so there is a high risk of transmission during the procedures of the speech therapist who works in the hospital environment. This article aims to describe the steps that can be taken by the speech therapist who attends bedside patients with dysphagia, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors associated with aspiration pneumonia and preventive measures in hospitalized elderly: a systematic review of observational studies

ABSTRACT Purpose: to identify associated factors and preventive measures for aspiration pneumonia in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: the PPOT (population, predictor, outcome, and type of study) was the strategy used to define the eligibility criteria: (1) Population: people over 60 years of age; (2) predictor: hospitalized patients (3) Outcomes: associated factors and measures to prevent aspiration pneumonia; (4) Type of study: Observational Studies (transversal and case-control). We performed the data collection in the PubMed, Lilacs, Scielo, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases. Observational studies on factors associated with aspiration pneumonia and preventive measures in the elderly, without language restriction and available in full, were included. Data on authors/year/country, objective, methodology, sample, and results, were collected. The risk of bias was assessed, according to the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Results: a case-control and two cross-sectional studies were analyzed. One paper presented a smaller sample with 86 patients, and another presented a larger sample comprising 443 patients. The median age was 77 years old. Conclusion: factors such as severe stroke, dysphagia, advanced age, male gender, coronary heart disease, lower Glasgow coma scale score, use of mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours, and aspiration of colonized gastric juice were associated with aspiration pneumonia.

Triagem auditiva neonatal: necessidade de divulgação para profissionais de enfermagem / Newborn hearing screening: How to approach nurse knowledge

Objetivo Investigar o conhecimento dos profissionais de enfermagem acerca da triagem auditiva de neonatos e lactentes. Métodos Participaram 106 profissionais de enfermagem de um hospital universitário. Todos responderam a um questionário semiestruturado (com questões objetivas e discursivas), contendo informações sobre sua formação, local de trabalho e conhecimentos acerca da triagem auditiva neonatal universal e seus desdobramentos. Resultados Os dados apontaram para o pouco conhecimento por parte dos profissionais de enfermagem sobre a triagem e avaliação da audição de neonatos e lactentes. Entretanto, no que concerne a detecção da perda auditiva, muitos deles afirmaram que os procedimentos podem iniciar antes de um mês de idade. Por outro lado, observou-se que a maioria dos profissionais de enfermagem desconhece os indicadores de risco para perda auditiva. Conclusão Há necessidade de divulgar, para esses profissionais, informações sobre a detecção e o diagnóstico da perda auditiva, bem como a intervenção precoce e os indicadores de risco. Essas informações podem ser divulgadas em atividades de educação permanente e periódicos de ampla circulação.

Objective To investigate how much nurses know about newborn and breastfeeding infant hearing screening. Methods A total of 106 nurses from a university hospital answered a semi structured questionnaire with closed and open questions regarding their education, workplace, and knowledge about newborn hearing screening and its outcomes. Results The data indicated that the nurses know little about newborn and breastfeeding infant hearing screening and assessment. However, with respect to detection of hearing loss, many nurses stated that the procedures could begin before the first month of age. On the other hand, most nurses are unaware of the risk indicators for hearing loss. Conclusion Nurses need to be informed about hearing loss risk indicators, detection, diagnosis, and early intervention. These information can be disclosed in continuing education activities and popular journals.