Regina, SK, CA — FEES 2025: Instrumental Dysphagia Assessment - March 8-9, 2025 (Private Registration)

Presented by:

SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, Nashville, Tennessee

Hosted by:

Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Intended Audience: Private Registration

Speech-Language Pathologists with earned Master’s degree or above who are affiliated with Pasqua Hospital or invited participants.  Registration by non-SLP professionals is not be permitted.

Course Dates:

March 8-9, 2025

Registration Closes:

February 27, 2025

Course Location:

4101 Dewdney Avenue, Regina, SK, CanadaS4R 1A5

Purpose:

To provide a two-day training course for Speech-Language Pathologists to use transnasal endoscopy to assess pharyngeal dysphagia using standard FEES assessment, scoring, and analysis protocols and procedures.

Learning Outcomes: 

At the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate safe & effective manual skills using nasoendoscopy to assess the oropharynx, hypopharynx, & larynx before, during, & after each swallow event;

• Describe & demonstrate specific FEES protocols & procedures to capture & assess dynamic & complex swallowing events;

• Identify & explain the anatomy & physiology of swallow peristalsis & airway protection functions during normal & abnormal swallowing events, as viewed endoscopically;

• Identify, describe, & demonstrate standard infection control procedures before & after each FEES procedure;

• Identify & describe any risks or contraindications for administering the FEES procedure; and

• Identify, analyze, & interpret FEES results to recommend & guide appropriate interventions.

Local Arrangements:

Chantal Kesslering, M.Sc., CCC-SLP (chantal.kesslering@saskhealthauthority.ca)

Course Information:

John R. Ashford, Ph.D. (John@sasspllc.com)

Faculty & Disclosures: 

 Michelle Skelley, M.Ed., CCC-SLP:  Co-founder and President of SA Swallowing Services, she is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist and FEES Endoscopist serving rehabilitation hospitals and nursing homes across Tennessee and parts of Kentucky and Georgia.  She also is the supervisor/instructor for on-site FEES competency training.  She is licensed and certified as a provider and instructor of swallowing endoscopy in accordance with Tennessee statutes.

Disclosures: Financial: Co-Owner of SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None

John R. Ashford, Ph.D., CCC-SLP: Co-founder and Educational/Research Director of SA Swallowing Services, he has over 48 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. He is retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System and as a University Professor. He is licensed and certified as an instructor of swallowing endoscopy in accordance with Tennessee statutes.

Disclosures: Financial: Co-Owner of SA Swallowing Services, PLLC, paid course instructor; Non-financial: None.

Pasqua Hospital: Financial: Provided tuition support; Non-Financial: Conference space.

Course Agenda:

Day One: 8:00 to 5:00

• .Introduction & Purposes of FEES (30m)

• Surface Anatomy (15m)

• Surface Anatomy Exercise (20m)

• Underlying Anatomy &Physiology of Swallowing (45m)

• Nasoendoscopic & FEES Equipment (20m)

• Medical Issues & Nasoendoscopy (30 min)

• Infection Control Requirements & Procedures (40m)

• Endoscope Insertion & Handling (45 min)

• Endoscopy Lab: Hands-on, supervised Nasoendoscopy/FEES Training, and

• FEES Analysis Lab: Identifying & Defining Swallowing Consequences: Introduction to FEES Observations & Computer Analysis Practice Labs (225m)

Day Two: 8:00 to 4:30

• FEES Protocols & Procedures (60m)

• Scoring FEES Using Rating Scales (60m)

• Analyzing Swallow & Airway Protection Behaviors (70m)

• FEES: Behavioral Intervention & EBP (55m)

• FEES Demonstration/Duel Scope Video

• Endoscopy Lab: Hands-on, supervised Nasoendoscopy/FEES Training, and

• FEES Analysis Lab: FEES Observations and Scoring (225m)

Course Registration and Tuition:

• Register online at https://www.sasspllc.com/basic-fees-training-courses/p/regina-sk-ca/

• NO checks, other payment sources (Venmo, ApplePay, PayPal), discounts or group rates.

• Personal or Sponsor Credit Card. $645.00 + CC processing fee.

• Sponsored SLP - Register & Sponsor Invoiced. $0.00. - Sponsor will be invoiced.

• Complete the registration information requested on the Checkout Page.  Be sure to include your ASHA or NSSHLA account number for ASHA CEUs.

•  A maximum of 16 participants are permitted.

Satisfactory Training Completion Requirements:

 To satisfactorily complete the requirements for the Certificate of Specialized Training for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES), the following are required:

• Attend all training lectures during the two-day training.

• Complete an anatomy quiz (passing score is not required).

• Complete in-lecture learning exercises.

• Complete the 15-step FEES Protocol & Procedures Laboratory using nasoendoscopy with 15 normal volunteers, and completing a procedural self-assessment after each. Signed off by instructors providing verified proof of supervised training.

• Attend FEES Analysis and Interpretation Laboratories and complete learning exercises.

• Submit a post-training course self-evaluation of learned skills and course-obtained knowledge.

Course Cancellation Policy:

• 30 days or more before the course date, full course tuition refunded, less credit card fee.

• 11 to 29 days before the course date, 50% course tuition refunded.

• 10 days or less before the course date, 0% course tuition refunded.

• Requests to switch to later courses received less than 30 days before the original course date are subject to a processing fee of $150.00.

Continuing Education Credit:

This course is offered for 1.6 ASHA CEUs (Intermediate Level).