Patheous Health: Formerly Carolina Speech Pathology

Course Description

This self-study Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) course provides the foundation for starting your journey toward FEES competency. Taught by a team of experienced clinicians, this course consists of video presentations, images and video clips from FEES exams, and relevant research articles to support learning.  Course instructors will hold intermittent web chats for Q and A for participants in this course. Course instructors have been deemed competent for supervision and training in FEES by board certified Otolaryngologists. 

Throughout this course we infuse citations from research. In each section, we have included access to papers that were open access or that we had permission to share for you to read. Also, we provided links to other resources that you can look over to enhance your understanding where appropriate. 

Included in this course

• A review of recent research regarding instrumental swallowing assessments, specifically FEES
• A review of the nasal, pharyngeal, and laryngeal anatomy, including normal and abnormal variants
• A review of normal swallowing for adults and aging adults
• Information is provided on advocating for dysphagia imaging, developing a FEES program, and incorporating FEES into clinical practice
• A FEES protocol including anatomy/physiology assessment, bolus trials, and intervention application
• An overview of rating scales available for use with FEES
• A review of clips from recorded FEES exams to allow the participants to begin to understand FEES interpretation

Learning Objectives

Following this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss research supporting use of FEES.
• Label swallowing anatomy from a superior view.
• Describe rating scales that can be used with FEES.
• Outline a FEES protocol, incorporating an Anatomy and Physiology Assessment.

Time Ordered Agenda

Part 1: Introduction to FEES Part 1: Purpose of FEES, The SLP's Role, FEES Training, FEES Equipment

00:00:  Video Presentation 1: Introduction to FEES Part 1: 

• 00:00:  Video Presentation 1: Introduction to FEES Part 1: 
  • Purpose of FEES and the SLP's Role,
  • FEES Training Guidelines
  • Introduction FEES Equipment, Sterilization vs High Level Disinfection
• 00:20:   Required Reading: Tutorial on Clinical Practice for Use of FEES with Adult Population Part 1 (12,519 words), Optional Reading Tutorial on Clinical Practice for Use of FEES with Pediatric Population Part 2
• Take Quiz 1

Part 2: A Review of the Research, Anatomy Review

• 02:26: Video Presentation 2
  • Research comparing FEES and MBS
  • FEES Complications
  • Anatomy Review: Nose, Nasopharynx, Oropharynx, Hypopharynx, Larynx, Trachea
  • Normal Swallowing
  • Watch Anatomy Video

• 03:43  Read Matsuo Paper (3,881)
• Take Quiz

Part 3: FEES Set-Up and Guidelines/Protocols

• 04:21: Video Presentation 3
  • FEES Supplies and Set-Up
  • Langmore FEES Protocol
• 04:50  Required Reading: Aspiration as a Function of Age, Sex, Liquid Type, Bolus Volume, and Bolus Delivery Across the Healthy Adult Life Span (7,269) and Required Reading Dysphagia Café Blog: Worship the Dog Not the Larynx (1,278)
• Take Quiz

Part 4: Scope Positioning During FEES and the Endoscopic View

• 06:15: Video Presentation 4
  • Scope Positioning
  • Endoscopic Observations
  • Tips for Successful Scope Passes
  • FEES Demo
  • Normal Swallow Video
• Take Quiz

Part 5: Advocating for Instrumentals, Making Diagnostic Decision, and Starting a FEES Program

06:46 Video Presentations 5

• Advocating for Imaging
• FEES Strengths, Limitations, and Contraindications
• Making Diagnostic Decisions with Case Examples
• Building a FEES Program from Scratch
• FEES billing

• 08:09: Required Reading: Cough response to aspiration in thin and thick fluids during FEES in hospitalized inpatients (5015)

• Take Quiz

Part 6: Identifying Dysphagia with FEES

• 08:59 Video Presentations 6:
  • Salient Findings on FEES
  • Implementing Rating Scales 

• 09:39: Required Reading: What's the Evidence? A Commentary of FEES Research (10,437) and  Required Reading: Reflections on Clinical and Statistical Use of the PAS (9,049)

Part 7: Use of Rating Scales, Intervention Application, Summary

• 12:54 Part 7 Presentations
  • FEES Documentation
  • Assessment of InterventionNext Steps

• 13:13: Required Reading: Comparison of 2 interventions for liquid aspiration on pneumonia incidence (4,640) and Required Reading: A randomized study of three interventions for aspiration of thin liquids in patients with dementia or Parkinson’s Disease (5,668) and  Required Reading: Predictors of aspiration pneumonia- how important is dysphagia? (7,934) and Required Reading: Predictors of aspiration in nursing home residents (6,141)

16:27: Take Post-Test

Following this course

Hands-on supervision is essential in becoming competent in FEES. We offer live, in-person courses where we provide a more in depth look at FEES interpretation and offer hands-on supervision. Our hands-on training provides a focus on obtaining optimal view of the larynx while keeping in mind the ergonomics of the endoscopist. It is essential to check with your state and your facility to determine requirements for FEES competency. Following this Into Course, you are eligible for discounted tuition for a Patheous Health hands-on FEES Training Course. 

Webinar Notice

Successful participation in this course includes completion of the post-test with a score of 80% or higher, then participants will automatically receive a course completion certificate.  You will have access to the course for 365 days after registration.

This course is offered for 16 Professional Development Hours. We can report your participation to ASHA if you choose for 1.6 ASHA CEUs, just be sure to include your ASHA number when you register. If you do not want your participation reported to ASHA, you have the option to decline on the course registration page. 

Refund Policy 

No refunds for self-study courses.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 877-390-1887.