--- title: How to Reduce the Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia description: Reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia can save lives, reduce healthcare expenditures, and prevent health system crowding. Learn more here.  image: https://blog.sscor.com/hubfs/How%20to%20Reduce%20the%20Risk%20of%20Aspiration%20Pneumonia%20.jpg --- [![dark-header.jpg](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hub/212347/file-1107077240.jpg?width=940&name=file-1107077240.jpg "dark-header.jpg")](https://www.sscor.com/) ## **Thank you for visiting the SSCOR Blog.** Whether you're in a Hospital or EMS setting, this is the place for you. We'll share information on current industry news, tips, as well as the latest and greatest in SSCOR products. Our hope is that this blog is not only informative but a collaborative and open forum for you to share your thoughts on developing opportunities and challenges within your profession. Subscribe. Share your thoughts. Enjoy. -SSCOR Team   # [How to Reduce the Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia](https://blog.sscor.com/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-aspiration-pneumonia) Posted by [Sam D. Say](https://blog.sscor.com/author/sam-d-say) Sep 21, 2024 8:00:00 AM 3 min read - [![LinkedIn Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2628248555-png/images/icons/linkedin-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-aspiration-pneumonia#) 0 - [![Facebook Social Icon](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/142915/file-2623658044-png/images/icons/fb-small.png) ](https://blog.sscor.com/how-to-reduce-the-risk-of-aspiration-pneumonia#) 0 ![How to Reduce the Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia ](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20to%20Reduce%20the%20Risk%20of%20Aspiration%20Pneumonia%20.jpg?width=724&name=How%20to%20Reduce%20the%20Risk%20of%20Aspiration%20Pneumonia%20.jpg) Aspiration pneumonia is common among seniors, people with dysphagia, and people with chronic breathing disorders. It can also occur during or following surgery, or after a sudden trauma. Mortality rates vary greatly and rise with patient age and comorbidities, as well as the total volume of aspirated fluids. Among those with [emphysema](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7836559/), it occurs in more than 20%. Reducing the risk of aspiration pneumonia can save lives, reduce healthcare expenditures, and prevent health system crowding.    ## **Risk Factors for Aspiration Pneumonia** There are many risk factors for aspiration pneumonia. Knowing whether and when a patient is at risk makes intervening easier. Be mindful of [these threats](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470459/): - Advanced age. Geriatric populations have a higher risk of aspiration, particularly if they have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dementia, or dysphagia. Some [research suggests](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4596873/) that age itself is not a risk factor, but rather increases the risk of other such factors.  - Weak or impaired swallowing, which may result from stroke-related dysphagia.  - Poor ciliary transport, as with smokers.  - Weakened ability to clear airway secretions.  - Dementia-related swallowing disorders. Many patients with primary progressive aphasia, a frontotemporal dementia that attacks speech, eventually develop swallowing difficulties.  - Emergency surgery.  - Traumatic injuries that affect the brain or spinal cord, or that damage the airway or surrounding structures.  - Suctioning, which can prevent aspiration when performed correctly, can also be a risk factor for aspiration. This is because suctioning usually indicates an underlying risk factor and because an incorrect suctioning technique can [damage the airway](https://blog.sscor.com/what-are-the-most-common-complications-of-suctioning).   [![New: Free Emergency Aspirator Purchasing Guide for Hospitals](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/8b3f08ff-a209-4f08-b702-68de84bac45b)   ## **Strategies for Preventing Aspiration Pneumonia ** Health providers can adopt a number of strategies to [reduce the risk of aspiration](https://blog.sscor.com/6-strategies-to-help-prevent-aspiration-pneumonia-in-adults). Those include:   - Avoid the use of medications that may affect swallowing or saliva flow.  - Provide prompt and evidence-based treatment for medical conditions that increase the risk of aspiration, such as emphysema.  - Refer for a swallowing evaluation of swallowing therapy when a patient has dementia or a stroke history and shows signs of dysphagia.  - Avoid [unnecessary medical interventions](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24993858), particularly tube feeding. Hand feeding is a safer alternative, so try other alternatives first.  - Consider liquid diets for dementia and stroke patients with swallowing disorders.  - Suction patients during medical procedures that increase the risk of aspiration. Medical suction [during dental procedures](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/medical-suction-for-dental), for example, lowers aspiration risk, increases patient comfort, and may prevent choking. ## **Know the Signs of Aspiration** To properly treat a patient, you must know the signs of aspiration. They include:    - Sudden hoarseness - Sudden increase in respiratory symptoms - Confusion  - Fever and chills - Crackling breathing or chest sounds Older adults, especially those who are very ill, may exhibit fewer signs than younger, healthier counterparts. So monitor not just for signs of aspiration, but also for obvious risks. For example, if a senior has been pocketing food or coughing after drinking, they may be at risk for aspiration.    [![Guide: Portable Emergency Suction: A Critial Tool In Avoiding Aspiration Pneumonia](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/212347/2f1501c2-bb40-46f8-a1de-c029ad5be75b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/212347/2f1501c2-bb40-46f8-a1de-c029ad5be75b)   ## **Choosing the Right Aspiration Pneumonia Equipment** The [right equipment](https://blog.sscor.com/7-questions-to-ask-before-buying-an-emergency-portable-suction-device) can both prevent and treat aspiration pneumonia. In the operating room and among patients who cannot clear their airway secretions, suction is the primary weapon in the fight to prevent aspiration. When a patient begins aspirating, prompt suctioning can save their life. Aspiration mortality directly correlates with the volume of aspirate a patient inhales.    Portable emergency suction empowers health providers to act quickly, no matter where they encounter patients and regardless of which medical procedures they assist with. For help choosing the right machine for your agency, download our free e-book, [*The Ultimate Guide to Purchasing a Portable Emergency Suction Device*](https://info.sscor.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-purchasing-a-portable-emergency-suction-device).   *Editor's Note: This blog was originally posted in September of 2024 and has since been updated with newer content.*  Topics: [aspiration pneumonia](https://blog.sscor.com/topic/aspiration-pneumonia) ![Author Photo](https://blog.sscor.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SDS2-648378-edited.jpg?width=70&name=SDS2-648378-edited.jpg) ## AboutSam D. Say Sam D. Say is owner and CEO of SSCOR, Inc., a medical device manufacturer specializing in emergency battery operated portable suction devices for the hospital and pre-hospital settings. Mr. Say has been involved in developing product for healthcare providers for over 35 years. His passions include contributing to the management of the patient airway and providing solutions that save lives in difficult conditions. 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