SUMMARY 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.

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.

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.

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.