Tristar Skyline enhances patient care with advanced swallowing evaluation

TriStar Skyline Medical Center is proud to offer Fiberoptic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), an innovative tool to diagnose swallowing disorders quickly and accurately. FEES uses a flexible tube with a tiny camera and light to provide real-time visuals of the throat, allowing speech-language pathologists to assess swallowing function.

 “Our team is excited to offer this advanced diagnostic service, providing quick, efficient evaluations right at the bedside,” said Gretchen Miller, administrative director for rehabilitation services at TriStar Skyline. “Three of our clinicians are trained to utilize this technology, ensuring exceptional care for our patients.”

Previously, patients needing swallowing evaluations often had to undergo more complex imaging studies, which could delay diagnosis and treatment. With FEES, these assessments can be performed at the bedside and on the inpatient rehabilitation unit, offering a faster, more convenient option.

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, can lead to aspiration, where food or liquid enters the airway or lungs, causing complications like pneumonia. The new FEES study provides a safer, more efficient way to diagnose and manage these issues.