My experience working with this company has been phenomenal. The professionalism, punctuality, and most importantly the level of expertise demonstrated through the use of FEES at my facility is something to brag about.
- Jessica, Speech-Language Pathologist
What is Mobile FEES?
The Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is a state of the art, safe, objective assessment of swallowing function that can be brought to your patient’s bedside.
FEES is completed by passing a flexible nasopharyngoscope along the floor of the patient’s nasal passage into the pharynx or throat, allowing a view of the patient’s pharynx and larynx from above. Following observation of pharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy, the patient is presented with various food consistencies to visualize swallow function and safety. Compensatory strategies and/or swallowing maneuvers are trialed as necessary in an attempt to enhance swallow safety and efficiency.
Susan Langmore, Ph.D., and colleagues developed the term FEES in 1986 and published the first data demonstrating the procedure’s effectiveness in 1988. Research has demonstrated that FEES is as sensitive as MBS to the detection of laryngeal penetration and aspiration. This procedure is within the scope of practice of Speech-Language Pathologists in New York State and New Jersey.
Why Mobile FEES?
FEES is portable and can be performed in-house. As a result, there is no need to transport the patient to a hospital setting or coordinate with radiology departments. FEES can be performed at your patient's bedside or chairside, allowing for comfort in his or her own environment. FEES can be performed on patients who would typically present with transportation limitations such as trach and vent dependent patients and bariatric patients.
FEES is displayed and recorded in high-definition digital color, allowing for the visualization of pharyngeal secretions and can assist with determining whether the patient is aspirating on his/her own secretions. Additionally, FEES allows for the visualization of the vocal folds as well as pharyngeal and laryngeal structural anomalies that may contribute to swallowing dysfunction. Finally, FEES is not time limited. This can allow the impact of fatigue on your patient’s swallowing function to be taken into account.
Benefits of Mobile FEES to your Facility
The cost of providing FEES in your facility is ~1/3 of the cost of sending a patient to a hospital setting for a Modified Barium Swallow Study. Because the patient does not leave the facility, transportation costs are eliminated, and the patient is able to participate in their scheduled billable therapy and medical services.
A designated nursing assistant or nurse does not have to travel outside of the facility to accompany the patient and the in-house Speech Pathologist can be present during the procedure and participate in important decision making. Our in-depth reports and documentation can assist to justify dysphagia therapy and improve health insurance reimbursement to the facility.
A timely, objective evaluation of swallowing function can assist with a patient’s diet upgrade, resulting in a reduction in the cost of providing modified diet textures, thickened liquids, and/or tube feedings.
Our Mobile FEES Guarantee
We will complete FEES within 24-72 hours of receiving the FEES consultation request. We will spend as much time as necessary with your patients and trial as many food consistencies as well as compensatory strategies as necessary to provide a detailed understanding of the patient’s swallowing function.
In cases of emergency, we can frequently provide same-day service, service the morning immediately following receipt of a consultation request, or during the weekend.
Your facility will receive a final report with high-quality images detailing impressions and recommendations.
We are easily accessible by phone or email and will provide your Speech Pathology and/or nursing staff as well as patients and their families with ongoing support in the development of a dysphagia plan of care.