Medical Simulation-Based Training: The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
Faculty Mentor
Catherine Crowley
Area of Research
Medical Speech-Language Pathology
Major
Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, B.S.
Description
INTRODUCTION: Across the medical field, aspiration is a constant area of concern for vulnerable patients. Specifically, it exacerbates the risk of a lethal infection festering in the lungs. Therefore, detecting and assessing risks for aspiration is crucial for safe healthcare. The fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is one of the tools available to identify patients who have dysphagia, or struggle to swallow successfully. It is recognized as a low-risk procedure which can be performed in a variety of settings, making it versatile. Additionally, repeated passes on the same patient are more feasible on account of it being radiation-free, a feature many swallow assessment counterparts lack. Though the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) acknowledges swallowing as within the scope of practice for speech-language pathologists, advanced course instruction on swallowing has not been standardized; it reflects the scattered, state-specific requirements for FEES certification.
METHOD: A manual search of literature related to FEES education and human simulation for medical training was conducted. Reference lists of resulting articles were also reviewed. Findings of the literature were informed by the on-campus FEES simulation experience offered by the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at Long Island University.
RESULTS: This poster session tabulated the standards for FEES specialization, and also pictures what the Long Island University graduate students were required to learn to be successful in their FEES simulation training.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: With minimal risk of harm to actual people, the knowledge acquired from such training can aid students of speech-language pathology in synthesizing their understanding of anatomy, interdisciplinary teamwork, and navigating medical settings. The full potential of these benefits may not be realized from only an initial exposure to a FEES simulation training.
Keywords: fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, FEES, human simulation mannequins, human simulation manikins, simulation-based training, speech-language pathology, aspiration, simulation instruction, certification, standardization, swallow anatomy, dysphagia
Medical Simulation-Based Training: The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)
INTRODUCTION: Across the medical field, aspiration is a constant area of concern for vulnerable patients. Specifically, it exacerbates the risk of a lethal infection festering in the lungs. Therefore, detecting and assessing risks for aspiration is crucial for safe healthcare. The fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is one of the tools available to identify patients who have dysphagia, or struggle to swallow successfully. It is recognized as a low-risk procedure which can be performed in a variety of settings, making it versatile. Additionally, repeated passes on the same patient are more feasible on account of it being radiation-free, a feature many swallow assessment counterparts lack. Though the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) acknowledges swallowing as within the scope of practice for speech-language pathologists, advanced course instruction on swallowing has not been standardized; it reflects the scattered, state-specific requirements for FEES certification.
METHOD: A manual search of literature related to FEES education and human simulation for medical training was conducted. Reference lists of resulting articles were also reviewed. Findings of the literature were informed by the on-campus FEES simulation experience offered by the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at Long Island University.
RESULTS: This poster session tabulated the standards for FEES specialization, and also pictures what the Long Island University graduate students were required to learn to be successful in their FEES simulation training.
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: With minimal risk of harm to actual people, the knowledge acquired from such training can aid students of speech-language pathology in synthesizing their understanding of anatomy, interdisciplinary teamwork, and navigating medical settings. The full potential of these benefits may not be realized from only an initial exposure to a FEES simulation training.
Keywords: fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing, FEES, human simulation mannequins, human simulation manikins, simulation-based training, speech-language pathology, aspiration, simulation instruction, certification, standardization, swallow anatomy, dysphagia