Speech Therapy

Speech and Language pathologist or therapist is medical professional with master’s level of education in speech and language to utilize comprehensive evaluation skills to fully assess cognition, language, communication, voice deficits, swallowing and eating and provide detailed action planning for treatment in any of these areas for both adults and children. At Jackson County Regional Health Center – Speech Therapy strives to provide 1:1 ratio of care to evaluate, analyze findings and design a comprehensive treatment plan to reach your specific goals. With a commitment to service excellence, we provide effective treatment programs expressly designed to meet your specific needs.

Here at Jackson County Regional Health Center we are unique to provide care and treatment to include inpatient services including 23-hour observation, inpatient care and skilled care services to improve the quality of care and provide discharge to home at highest level of function for you. We also provide Outpatient Speech and Language therapy for many commonly diagnoses including: Aphasia, Apraxia of Speech, Dementia, Dysarthria, Expressive and Receptive language, Swallowing disorders, Voice disorders, Neurologic disorders and Autism.

FEES

A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) test is a procedure used to assess how well you swallow. During the procedure, a speech-language pathologist (SLP) passes a thin, flexible instrument, called an endoscope, through your nose. This allows your therapist to view your throat while you swallow food and liquids.

The procedure varies in length, but often takes around 20 minutes. During this time, the SLP is able to identify swallowing impairments, foods and liquids that are safe for you to swallow, and foods and liquids that put you at risk for aspiration or choking. In addition, your therapist may identify compensatory strategies, positions, or techniques to improve swallow function.

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for the test. You will be seated and will eat various foods and liquids. During passing of the scope you may feel pressure or a slight burning sensation in your nose. Once the scope is through the nasal passages, most participants do not feel any pain or discomfort.

VFSS

A video fluoroscopic swallow study is a test used to assess how well you swallow by observing your mouth, throat, and upper esophagus on x-ray. Sometimes you may hear it referred to as a modified barium swallow (MBS) or a cookie swallow. During this procedure, a speech-language pathologist (SLP), physician, and radiology technician watch you swallow various foods and liquids.

The test varies in length, but often takes 15-30 minutes. During this time, the SLP is able to identify swallow impairments, foods and liquids that are safe for you to swallow, and foods and liquids that put you at risk for aspiration or choking. In addition, your therapist may identify compensatory strategies, positions, or techniques to improve swallow function.

There is nothing you need to do to prepare for the test. You will be seated in front of a fluoroscopy machine and consume foods and liquids that contain barium.