We value the time of our patients and clients and have refined our process to be as streamlined as possible without diminishing the quality of patient care.

Since 1996, Carolina Speech Pathology has offered onsite swallowing evaluations. Most of our providers have at least 20 years of experience, allowing us to serve as a FEES resource for others in the industry.

Our seasoned team, clinical proficiency, and patient-centric approach result in a quality experience for both patients and clients.

We are a debt-free company, which means we are a financially stable partner who can provide excellent care for many years to come.

Currently, we partner with healthcare facilities in the following states. We are always looking to expand our service area, so please contact us if your business is outside of these areas.

Coverage Area

Alabama
Washington, D.C.
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Maryland
Michigan
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

Alabama
Washington, D.C.
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Maryland
Michigan
North Carolina
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES®) is a well established technique that has revolutionized the field of dysphagia imaging. It is also known as “videoendoscopic evaluation of dysphagia (VES)” and is a sensitive, accurate, portable, and safe examination that yields clinically useful information relative to swallowing physiology, efficiency, and safety. The tool involves passing a flexible endoscope through the patient’s nasal passage to provide a superior view of the pharynx so the larynx, pharynx, and upper esophageal opening are viewed directly from above. Then the patient is administered food or liquids mixed with food coloring in order to determine swallow function. FEES can be done at the patient’s bedside, in an office, intensive care unit, or in a long-term care facility in under 20 minutes with regular food and liquids. According to the American Speech, Language, and Hearing Association (ASHA), this procedure falls within the scope of practice of speech-language pathologists who receive special training.

The Modified Barium Swallow Study (MBSS), also known as Video-Fluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS), is another procedure for the assessment of dysphagia. This tool uses videofluoroscopic technology to produce a lateral image of the oropharyngeal anatomy while the patient swallows food and liquid with barium as contrast. It is with a speech-language pathologist’s scope of practice to interpret with assessment.

A skilled speech-language pathologist (SLP) will start by completing a thorough chart review, clinical swallow assessment, and patient interview. Then, the SLP can help guide patients toward the most appropriate dysphagia imaging tool based on information gathered, as well as patient preference. Both FEES and MBSS are excellent tools for identifying swallowing deficits, guiding recommendations for eating/drinking, and determining an appropriate dysphagia treatment regimen. FEES has the unique ability to visualize surface mucosa and secretions, thus is often preferred when a patient has vocal quality changes or secretion management issues. MBSS has the unique ability to visualize the esophagus and see below the surface mucosa, thus may be more appropriate when a patient has known cervical spine changes or complaints that point toward an underlying esophageal dysphagia.

Whenever dysphagia is suspected following a clinical swallow evaluation, dysphagia imaging is imperative for identifying the physiological cause of dysphagia so an appropriate intervention can be recommended. Imaging is essential to ascertain recommendations for safe po intake, as clinical presentation alone is unreliable. Both FEES and MBSS allow clinicians to examine various bolus delivery methods, compensatory techniques, and texture modifications, which allows for informed, patient-centered discussions with patients with dysphagia and their caregivers about the best path forward.