FEES vs MBSS

FEES has demonstrated a sensitivity equal to or greater than MBSS in determining whether a patient is exhibiting penetration, aspiration, delay in swallowing initiation and pharyngeal residue. Additionally, FEES provides visualizations of pharyngeal secretions that cannot be detected during an MBSS. See literature resources comparing FEES and MBSS.

Benefits:

• There is no radiation exposure with FEES as opposed to MBSS.
• Physician does not need to be present in the same room during a FEES study.
• Actual food and drink is utilized during the procedure.
• The procedure takes 20 minutes or less, however there are no time limitations and it can be used during the entire meal to assess swallowing function if needed.
• No unpleasant barium-tainted food & no barium-associated constipation.
• No transportation out of the facility.
• No waiting to be cleared from isolation precautions.
• FEES can be used with patients on mechanical ventilation.
• FEES can be performed while a patient or resident is sitting upright or in bed.
• FEES can be performed easily on morbidly obese patients or residents as opposed to MBSS.
• FEES can be performed with medically complex patients or residents who otherwise would not tolerate being moved.
• No need for multiple patients we can come for one