Fostering statewide peer support and best practice translation for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): an evaluation of the NSW/ACT FEES working party
| Friday, June 13, 2025 |
| 1:55 PM - 2:05 PM |
| Knowledge Hub | Halls MNO, Ground Level |
Overview
Details
⏲️ 1.55pm - 2.05pm
⌛ 10-minutes
📚 Assumed knowledge of attendees: Foundational (new/casual familiarity with the topic e.g. treated a single case)
Presenter
Fostering statewide peer support and best practice translation for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES): an evaluation of the NSW/ACT FEES working party
1:55 PM - 2:05 PMPresentation summary
Methods: A 2-part survey was distributed to ACT/NSW Speech Pathology departments. Survey-One captured data on site-specific FEES practices, comparing to 2019 baseline data. Survey-Two evaluated current and previous member perceptions on group outputs, achievements, benchmarking, translational research and peer support.
Results: Survey-One: Data was captured across 49 NSW/ACT health services (18 districts). FEES was available at 25 sites with inpatient (1-40/month) and outpatient (1-30/month) cohorts. Competency in FEES interpretation was high with 100% sites having ≥one SP competent in FEES interpretation. Speech-Pathology nasendoscopy training was completed by medical (17%), SP (52%) and mixed medical/SP (31%). Comparison with baseline data revealed a greater proportion of services offer SP-led FEES, from 58% (2019) to 88% (2024). Main barriers to offering a FEES service were: limited/no ENT; funding; and staff training. Survey-Two: 17 clinicians (4 past, 13 current) responded across 12 districts. The majority of responders ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that the group’s purpose was achieved, with positive aspects including providing high-level peer support (median 85%), benchmarking (median 85%), external provision of SP support (median 80%) and managing FEES associated risk (70%). 88% of responders felt they and their health services benefitted from FEES Working Party involvement, with statewide FEES Study-Day (88%) most frequently cited.
Conclusion: The FEES Working Party supports state-wide service development; provides opportunity for high-level peer support, education and benchmarking across NSW/ACT health services. Addressing barriers and broader representation across rural health services is recommended.
Refrences
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