Mobile Diagnostic Swallowing Services
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BENEFITS OF FEES
A picture is worth a thousand words!
Above is a side by side comparison view of a MBSS/Modified Barium Swallow Study (on the left) and a FEES/Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (on the right) on the same patient at the same time.
Clinical Benefits
​Procedure performed in patient's current environment
Able to assess medically fragile or difficult to assess patients (i.e.; bariatric, ventilators, pressure ulcers, dementia, isolation)
Limits exposure to community infections (i.e.; COVID)
Higher sensitivity to pharyngeal residue than Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
No barium tainted food
​No radiation exposure
Staff/caregiver allowed to be present
Direct visualization of laryngeal/pharyngeal cavities
Able to assess secretion management
Able to test ability to swallow medications
Able to test in natural eating position/posture
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Able to assess a variety of compensatory strategies
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Digital recording of procedure for future comparison
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Time Benefits
Scheduled typically within 24-48 hours unlike weeks/months with a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
Typically only takes 10-15 minutes; no more long trips to the hospital and long hours in the waiting room
Report is provided the same day; no more waiting weeks for results
Get answers the same day which means your patients begin eating or upgrading diets sooner
​With more accurate and timely assessments, you are able to reach positive outcomes faster when you know for sure
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Financial Benefits
Typically a third of the cost of a Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS)
No transportation costs
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No accompanying companion/staff costs
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Helps to increase PDPM/PDGM case mix with objective data
Decreases cost associated with pneumonia and other illnesses complicated by dysphagia
Decreases cost of unnecessary thickened liquids
Helps reduces re-hospitalizations
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No missing PT/OT/ST therapy minutes due to being outside of facility
Decreases costs of unnecessary tube feedings
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