FEES Assessments
The first of its kind in the region.
For our healthcare partners and clients new to FEES, this page serves as your go-to resource for everything you need to know about the assessment and how it works.
What is a FEES Assessment?
The gold standard in assessing and treating swallowing disorders.
FEES is an instrumental assessment conducted by a certified Speech Pathologist. The assessment is used to evaluate swallowing function, secretion management, and view the anatomy and physiology of pharyngeal and laryngeal structures in real time.
We're the only team in the New England North West region able to deliver community FEES Assessments.
How does it work?
An overview of the assessment.
During the procedure, the patient is seated comfortably and fully aware. A thin, flexible tube called an endoscope is gently inserted through the nose and positioned just above the vocal cords, but it never goes between or below them. The patient is then asked to swallow different types of food and liquids, while we watch the swallowing function on a monitor.
What are we looking for?
Here's the nitty gritty of what we're keeping an eye out for during the assessment:
- Signs of aspiration (food or liquid going into the airway)
- Leftover food or fluid (residue)
- Pooled secretions
- How the vocal cords move during voice, breathing in and out, and coughing
- Any other functional abnormalities
Afterward, the endoscope is carefully removed, and we'll chat through the findings with the client and/or their caregiver. If any functional abnormalities are found, the images and report are shared with a specialist for further analysis and diagnosis.
The Benefits
✅ Functional assessment available in real time.
✅ Real time evaluation of sensory functioning.
✅ Portable and convenient for community delivery.
✅ No anaesthetic or contrasting agent required.
✅ No radiation exposure.
✅ Avoid preventable hospital admission due to accurate assessment and intervention.
Helping our clients make informed choices.
FEES gives us a clear view of what’s happening inside when someone comes to us with swallowing concerns, reducing the guess work diagnosis. We can also test strategies and positions right on the spot, ensuring we have a comprehensive understanding to inform their intervention plan.
When recommending long-term nutritional modifications for our clients, it’s essential our clients are able to make informed choices with understanding of the whole picture,
How we're helping alleviate the pressure on our healthcare system.
Avoid unnecessary visits to the specialist.
By conducting the assessment ourselves, we can efficiently develop the care plan and provide the necessary support without needing to involve a specialist. Most of the time, we will not need to bring in a specialist, however, if anything unusual is found, it is at this point the assessment results are shared with a specialist for further analysis and/or diagnosis.
Get the whole picture.
If further analysis or diagnosis is needed, our ability to perform both the FEES assessment and regular swallowing evaluations allows the specialist to get a complete picture right from the start. This reduces the need for multiple assessments, extra appointments, and additional costs, streamlining the process for everyone involved.
No GP referral required.
To book in with us, simply fill out our internal referral form and our team will be in touch to discuss the assessment with you and/or your care team, to ensure it is the best fit for you. No trip to the GP necessary.
We work as an extension of your healthcare team, respecting your GP's role as your primary healthcare liaison. We’ll coordinate with your GP to gather necessary information and check for contraindications* before conducting a FEES assessment. Acknowledging the demand on GPs, we’ll initiate outreach when needed. Our focus is on creating a collaborative, preventative care model and avoiding a siloed approach to your health.
*Contraindications are conditions or circumstances that may mean FEES should not be conducted. See below for a full list of contraindications.
Contraindications
(Those who should avoid FEES Assessment)
- Anyone with a skull base fracture or who has surgery within the last 6 weeks
- Anyone with a facial fracture or who has undergone surgery within the last 6 weeks
- Anyone with a tumour in the sino-nasal or anterior skull base region
- Anyone with a life-threatening nosebleed (epistaxis) within the last 6 weeks or a history of severe epistaxis
- Anyone with recent trauma to the nasal cavity
- Anyone with hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (bleeding condition)
- Anyone with hoanal atresia (blocked nasal passage)
Got a question?
For any questions, concerns or scheduling enquiries please reach out directly.
ASK Healthcare
315 Peel Street, Tamworth New South Wales 2340, Australia
Our office is located within shared office space The Store, by DPARTMNT. Call 0455 022 956 Or reach out via email hello@askhealthcare.com.au
Hours
Mon | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm | |
Sat | Closed | |
Sun | Closed |
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