Penetration-Aspiration Scale

The Penetration-Aspiration Scale is a tool used by healthcare professionals to assess swallowing safety. It evaluates how food or liquid moves through the throat when someone swallows. The scale ranges from 1 to 8, with lower numbers indicating safe swallowing and higher numbers suggesting food or liquid entering the airway (aspiration), which can lead to choking or pneumonia. This scale helps clinicians identify risks and decide on appropriate interventions or therapies to improve swallowing and ensure patient safety during eating and drinking.