RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt Expands Expertise in Advanced Swallowing Diagnostics
RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt has further strengthened its capabilities in diagnosing and treating swallowing disorders by expanding the number of healthcare professionals certified in Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). The latest certifications reinforce the campus’ long-standing commitment to providing specialized neurological care and highlight its continued investment in advanced diagnostic techniques that improve patient safety and rehabilitation outcomes.
Swallowing disorders, medically known as dysphagia, are among the most common complications experienced by patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and other disorders affecting the nervous system. Early identification and appropriate treatment of these conditions are critical, as impaired swallowing can increase the risk of aspiration, malnutrition, dehydration, and potentially life-threatening respiratory infections.
By expanding FEES expertise across its occupational therapy and neurological rehabilitation teams, RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt aims to deliver more precise diagnostics, individualized treatment plans, and enhanced interdisciplinary care for patients recovering from complex neurological illnesses.
Long-Standing Focus on Swallowing Rehabilitation
The diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders have been an integral component of neurological care at RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt for many years. The hospital has developed a comprehensive therapeutic approach that combines medical expertise with specialized rehabilitation services to address the complex needs of patients experiencing dysphagia.
Central to this approach is the campus’ occupational therapy department, whose professionals work closely with neurologists, rehabilitation physicians, speech and language therapists, nursing staff, and intensive care teams to evaluate swallowing function and develop individualized rehabilitation strategies.
The occupational therapy team, led by Alexandra von Ponickau, has undergone extensive additional training in swallowing therapy, ensuring that patients receive specialized support throughout every stage of recovery.
According to von Ponickau, the recent FEES certifications represent an important extension of the team’s existing qualifications.
She explained that because the department specializes in treating neurological diseases, integrating FEES into clinical practice complements the hospital’s broader qualification strategy while enabling therapists to provide more targeted and effective patient care.
Understanding FEES
Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is a well-established diagnostic procedure that allows clinicians to directly observe a patient’s swallowing function using a flexible endoscope inserted through the nasal passage.
Unlike imaging techniques that provide indirect information, FEES enables healthcare professionals to visualize the anatomy and physiology of swallowing in real time.
During the examination, clinicians assess how food and liquids move through the throat while identifying abnormalities that may place patients at risk for aspiration or other swallowing-related complications.
The procedure can evaluate:
- Swallowing safety
- Airway protection
- Movement of throat structures
- Presence of food or liquid residue
- Aspiration before, during, or after swallowing
- Effectiveness of compensatory swallowing techniques
Because FEES can be performed at the bedside without exposing patients to radiation, it has become an essential diagnostic tool in neurological rehabilitation, intensive care, and stroke management.
Importance in Neurological Care
Patients recovering from neurological disorders frequently experience impaired swallowing due to damage affecting the muscles and nerves responsible for coordinating this highly complex process.
Studies have shown that swallowing disorders affect a substantial proportion of individuals recovering from:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain tumors
- Neuromuscular disorders
In severe cases, patients may require feeding tubes or tracheostomies while undergoing rehabilitation.
Accurate swallowing assessment allows clinicians to determine when patients can safely resume oral nutrition and when additional therapeutic interventions remain necessary.
The results of FEES examinations often influence critical clinical decisions, including:
- Advancing food textures
- Introducing oral fluids
- Removing feeding tubes
- Decannulating tracheostomy tubes
- Selecting swallowing exercises
- Adjusting rehabilitation plans
These decisions directly affect both patient recovery and quality of life.
National Standards Ensure High Quality
In Germany, FEES training follows standardized educational guidelines developed by the German Society for Neurology (DGN).
The nationwide curriculum establishes consistent quality standards governing:
- Clinical indications
- Examination techniques
- Interpretation of findings
- Patient safety
- Documentation
- Competency assessment
By adhering to these national standards, healthcare professionals performing FEES maintain consistent levels of expertise regardless of where they practice.
The structured certification process also supports ongoing professional development while ensuring patients receive high-quality diagnostic care.
Early Adoption at RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt
RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt was among the early adopters of FEES in Germany, integrating the diagnostic procedure into routine neurological care well before it became widely established.
One of the leading figures in developing the campus’ FEES program has been occupational therapist Axel Friede.
Friede earned his FEES certification in 2015 as part of one of Germany’s earliest DGN-certified training programs. Two years later, in 2017, he became a certified FEES instructor, enabling him to train additional healthcare professionals using nationally standardized educational methods.
Since then, he has played a central role in expanding FEES expertise throughout the hospital while also contributing to continuing education programs for external healthcare professionals.
His work has helped establish FEES as a core component of the campus’ interdisciplinary swallowing diagnostics program.
Friede noted that the hospital has continuously strengthened its expertise by encouraging collaboration, knowledge sharing, and ongoing professional education among team members.
Growing Team of Certified Specialists
The latest expansion of the FEES program includes the successful certification of five additional occupational therapists:
- Marilena Buhl
- Hannah Karl
- Tanja Röhlich
- Franziska Röhner
- Ulrike Seyfarth
Their certification significantly increases the number of professionals qualified to perform advanced swallowing assessments, improving patient access to specialized diagnostics throughout the neurological care pathway.
The multidisciplinary FEES team is further strengthened by certified senior physicians within the Department of Neurological Early Rehabilitation.
These include:
- Dr. Nuradin Peci
- Dr. Daniel Arsovski
Together, occupational therapists and physicians collaborate closely to ensure comprehensive evaluation and treatment planning for patients with complex neurological conditions.
Interdisciplinary Care Improves Outcomes
Managing swallowing disorders requires close coordination among multiple healthcare disciplines.
Neurologists identify underlying neurological conditions.
Intensive care specialists stabilize critically ill patients.
Occupational therapists and rehabilitation specialists evaluate swallowing function and guide recovery.
Speech and language therapists provide therapeutic interventions.
Dietitians ensure nutritional needs are met safely.
Nurses monitor patients during daily meals and implement individualized feeding recommendations.
At RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt, this interdisciplinary collaboration forms the foundation of neurological rehabilitation services.
Each professional contributes specialized expertise while working toward shared treatment goals that prioritize patient safety, recovery, and independence.
Addressing a Common Neurological Complication
According to Dr. Volker Ziegler, Chief Physician of the Clinic for Neurological Early Rehabilitation and Neurological Intensive Care, swallowing disorders are particularly common among patients recovering from severe neurological illnesses.
He estimates that approximately 80 percent of these patients experience significant dysphagia during their recovery.
Such a high prevalence underscores the importance of early diagnosis and continuous monitoring throughout rehabilitation.
Without appropriate assessment and intervention, swallowing disorders can lead to serious complications including:
- Aspiration pneumonia
- Respiratory infections
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Prolonged hospitalization
- Increased healthcare costs
- Reduced quality of life
By identifying swallowing impairments early, clinicians can implement targeted interventions that minimize these risks while supporting safer recovery.
Enhancing Patient Safety
Dr. Ziegler emphasized that FEES serves as one of the most valuable diagnostic tools available for evaluating swallowing disorders.
The procedure allows clinicians to accurately identify the severity and characteristics of dysphagia, enabling individualized treatment decisions that reduce complications associated with impaired swallowing.
He noted that the ongoing expansion of FEES expertise directly strengthens both the quality and safety of patient care provided at RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt.
As more clinicians become certified, patients benefit from faster access to specialized assessments and more timely adjustments to their rehabilitation plans.
Commitment to Continuous Professional Development
The hospital views ongoing education as essential to maintaining excellence in neurological rehabilitation.
Rather than relying on a small number of specialists, RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt has invested in building a broad team of certified professionals capable of delivering high-quality swallowing diagnostics across multiple departments.
Internal instructor-led training programs, structured certification pathways, and interdisciplinary collaboration ensure that expertise continues expanding while maintaining nationally recognized standards.
This commitment to professional development also positions the campus as an important training center for healthcare professionals seeking advanced education in FEES and neurological rehabilitation.
The latest FEES certifications represent another important milestone in RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt’s ongoing efforts to strengthen specialized neurological care.
As the prevalence of neurological diseases continues to rise with aging populations, demand for advanced rehabilitation services—including expert swallowing diagnostics—is expected to grow significantly.
By expanding the number of FEES-certified occupational therapists and physicians, the campus is enhancing its ability to provide earlier diagnoses, safer treatment decisions, and more individualized rehabilitation pathways for patients with dysphagia.
Through continued investment in clinical education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based diagnostic techniques, RHÖN-KLINIKUM Campus Bad Neustadt is reinforcing its position as a leading center for neurological rehabilitation while improving outcomes for patients facing one of the most challenging complications of neurological disease.
Source link: https://www.rhoen-klinikum-ag.com/
