Dysphagia Diagnostic Services
Competency training and swallowing diagnostics provided in-house.
Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow (FEES)
FEES is a procedure that assesses swallowing function using a thin, flexible tube with a camera (endoscope) inserted through the nose to visualize the throat and larynx during swallowing conducted by a speech-language pathologist. It is used when there are concerns about swallowing difficulties or food or liquid entering the airway (this is called aspiration). FEES is portable and does not involve radiation exposure and it provides a color, video view of the structures involved in swallowing.
The use of FEES was pioneered by Dr. Susan Langmore, Ph. D. and was first included within the scope of practice for Speech Pathologists by the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA) in 2001. Speech Pathologists are obligated to complete specialized training before becoming a FEES clinician. There is no certification for FEES but ASHA has recommended a sequence for FEES training which includes completion of a comprehensive training course (often over 15 hours) that provides the foundation for learning, completion of endoscope passes on healthy adults and then training on patients with dysphagia with a mentor until competency is achieved.
Clarity Dysphagia Solutions is able to provide mentorship, bringing clinicians to FEES competency within their own practice setting. Additionally, Clarity Dysphagia Solutions is able to provide ancillary FEES exams in-house in your medical setting or clinic.
Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBS)
Modified barium swallow studies are diagnostic procedures using x-rays to assess how someone swallows. It involves a speech-language pathologist and a radiologist who observe the movement of barium liquids and barium mixed food through the mouth, throat and esophagus usually in both a side and front view. The study assesses the safety and efficiency of the swallow, identifies potential issues like aspiration (when food or liquid enters the lungs) and defines the physiology of the swallow.
Modified Barium Swallow Studies were refined by Dr. Jerilyn Ann Logemann, Ph. D. in the mid-1970s. In 2008, Dr Bonnie Martin-Harris, Ph. D. published a standardized approach MBS interpretation, the MBSImP, which is used by Clarity Dysphagia Solutions for standardized scoring.
Clarity Dysphagia Solutions is able to provide mentorship of clinicians gaining competency in MBS studies. Clarity Dysphagia Solutions is also able to complete these studies in your medical setting as an ancillary service.