Speech therapy options for adults. Services provided in your home, your doctor's office, or our clinic locations in Port St. Lucie and Daytona Beach, FL.
FEES is one of two methods used to visualize the swallow in action. FEES is unique in that it allows clinicians to bring the evaluation to the patient (portable). This means no more expensive hospital trips and obtaining the results of the assessment is immediate.
If you or a loved one suspect you may have difficulty swallowing or frequent pneumonias then you may be a candidate for FEES.
FEES utilizes a small camera/scope to view the pharynx (throat) while the patient is eating. The assessment is extremely fast with minimal discomfort.
This assessment is for anyone experiencing signs of dysphagia or in an at risk population such as: neurological disorders, stroke victims, traumatic brain injuries, gastric diseases, oropharyngeal cancers, etc.
FEES allows your therapist to directly view how your muscles and nerves work together to efficiently propel food as well as safely protect your airway. After FEES, your therapist can formulate a plan of care to target your specific needs.
If you have already been evaluated by an SLP and placed on a restricted/modified diet or utilize a feeding tube then you may be a candidate for re-evaluation. Recommendations for modified diets or feeding tubes without first obtaining a FEES or MBSS have been proven to be frequently inaccurate and is not considered evidenced-based practice.
Due to quickly advancing medical science, it may be difficult to find a therapist who is competent in reading/interpreting FEES or MBSS. We are here to help you find the right fit for you and will connect you with an experienced therapist in your area if our locations are inaccessible to you.
*Please review our resource tab to find current ethics issues regarding swallowing diagnostics and therapies.*
https://leader.pubs.asha.org/doi/full/10.1044/leader.OTP.24032019.38 Build a Case For Instrumental Swallowing Assessments in Long-Term Care Armed with facts and evidence, SLPs can help change policies that deny instrumental swallowing
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