FEES Mobile & Walk-In Clinics

What is FEES?

Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing

FEES is a gold-standard evaluation to assess dysphagia and aspiration. The process involves inserting an endoscope into the nose and throat to visualize anatomical structures, including the vocal folds. No anesthetic is typically needed. During the assessment, the patients are asked to swallow saliva, liquid, and food while the camera is in place, allowing for the Speech-Language Pathologist to observe aspiration (food or liquid falling into the airway) or swallow inefficiencies (material not fully moving into the esophagus, causing residue in the throat).

During the assessment, patients may be asked to say certain sounds allowing the voice box to be examined as well.

Why FEES?

Patients may be referred to Mountain Region for FEES studies to be performed on-site at our clinic.
As a portable service, FEES may also be completed at bedside in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in a physician’s office. Please contact Mountain Region at 423-246-4600 to discuss providing Mobile FEES for your facility.
Patients do not need to fast or do anything special to prepare for the assessment.
FEES provides an in-depth evaluation of swallow function without time limits and radiation exposure, as with Modified Barium Swallow Studies.

FEES studies may potentially identify lesions within the nasopharynx, thus expediting appropriate referrals to an Ear, Nose, and Throat physician.
Information regarding swallow efficiency and airway protection is able to be determined and helps the Speech-Language Pathologist formulate a treatment plan specific to the patient being evaluated.
Morbidly obese patients can receive FEES evaluation.
FEES studies are efficient and are usually completed in 20 minutes or less. A completed FEES study report will be ready within 1 business day of the FEES study appointment.

Who Performs FEES Services?

Mountain Region Speech & Hearing Center’s FEES Program is administered by Speech-Language Pathologists who are licensed in the states of Tennessee and Virginia and have received their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from ASHA. Our SLPs performing FEES studies have been fully trained in the administration of FEES and have received their Endoscopy Certification.