Table 1.

Swallowing Safety Categorized by the Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS)

Swallowing Safety	PAS Score	PAS Score Description
No Penetration	1	Material does not enter the airway
Penetration	2	Material enters the airway, remains above the vocal folds, and is ejected from the airway
	3	Material enters the airway, remains above the vocal folds, and is not ejected from the airway
	4	Material enters the airway, contacts the vocal folds, and is ejected from the airway
	5	Material enters the airway, contacts the vocal folds, and is not ejected from the airway
Aspiration	6	Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and is ejected into the larynx or out of the airway
	7	Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and is not ejected out of the trachea despite effort
	8	Material enters the airway, passes below the vocal folds, and no effort is made to eject