Key messages

Patients who have difficulty swallowing can be at risk of choking or breathing in food, drink and medicines while they are in hospital.

Swallowing problems that are not managed well can also lead to poorer health outcomes associated with malnutrition and dehydration.

Clear communication between clinicians and health services is essential to keep these patients safe.

This guidance explains how to share information about a patient’s eating, drinking and swallowing needs. It outlines how to document and communicate support requirements such as supervision, food and drink textures, and any patient or environmental adaptations.

The guidance covers:

  • How to use clear, consistent language when describing food and drink textures
  • How to communicate supervision needs, including why, when and how supervision must occur
  • How to document and share changes to food, fluid or medicine recommendations
  • How to communicate patient and environmental needs that support safe eating and drinking
  • How all staff involved in care can work together to reduce risk and prevent harm

This guidance helps health service staff - including doctors, nurses, allied health, food service and support staff - provide safe and consistent care for patients with swallowing difficulties or unsafe eating and drinking behaviours.

Background

Choking on and inhaling food, drink and medicines have led to patient deaths in Victorian health services. Reviews of these events showed that unclear communication, inconsistent documentation and misunderstanding of supervision requirements were common contributing factors

Patients with swallowing difficulties often need extra support to stay safe during meals. This may include supervision, assistance, changes to food or drink textures, or adjustments to the meal environment. These needs must be clearly documented and communicated to all staff involved in the patient’s care.

This guidance was developed to help clinicians and health services improve how they communicate these risks and requirements, so patients receive safe and consistent care.

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Get in touch

Safer Care Victoria - Clinical guidance
clinicalguidance@safercare.vic.gov.au

Version History

Last reviewed: Mar 2026

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