Our Services
What is a Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing?
A Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) test is a procedure used to assess how well you swallow. During the procedure, a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) passes a thin, flexible instrument through your nose. Then, the SLP views parts of your throat as you swallow.
When you swallow food or liquid, it passes through your mouth and down through parts of your throat called the pharynx and larynx. From here, the food or liquid passes through a long tube (esophagus) before entering your stomach. This movement requires a series of actions from the muscles in these areas. It also requires coordination with the muscles of breathing, since breathing pauses during a swallow.
A FEES test can help assess if you are having any problems with the part of the process when food and liquid passes through your throat. A FEES uses a flexible tube called an endoscope. This instrument has a tiny camera and light attached to it. We will pass the endoscope through your nose and into your pharynx. The endoscope allows us to see parts of your larynx, pharynx and trachea on a video screen.
Lets Face It
We don’t have x-ray vision… Or do we? Actually, we have better.
We bring our fancy camera to your facility, anywhere in south or central Florida, perform a swallow study at the bedside, print out the report, and leave it that day.
Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. We understand the challenges Speech-Language Pathologists face when they have to observe a patient eating, and then make life-altering recommendations without visual support.
Research shows a 70% error rate at the bedside, where the recommendations are either too restrictive, jeopardizing nutrition and hydration, or silent aspiration is completely missed, which can lead to pneumonia.
That’s a huge responsibility for a SLP without x-ray vision!
We are able to view the patient’s swallow for 1/4 of the price of an MBSS done at a hospital, while in their natural position, consuming their favorite food, liquids, and actual medication, all while gaining valuable input from the nurses and family that interact with the patient on a daily basis.
We strive to work closely with the patient, his/her family, the Speech-Language Pathologist, nurses, and doctors to create a comprehensive patient-centered plan to ensure safe swallowing for the patient, and research based recommendations that the facility staff can feel confident implementing.