Computer-assisted documentation of the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing

Because documentation and report writing in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is time consuming and susceptible to omissions, a software solution to ameliorate these problems by maintaining document quality is desirable.

Based on the FEES procedure of Langmore, a documentation software (DS) which presents a digitized FEES recording and masks with precast text fields was designed to facilitate and unify data input. The oropharyngeal secretion scale of Murray and the penetration-aspiration scale of Rosenbek were integrated to increase comparability of dysphagia information. Four independent examiners analyzed 12 digitized FEES-recordings, 6 without and 6 with the DS, to determine its effect on the times needed for total evaluation, interpretation, documentation, report writing, and report completeness.

The documentation software (DS) reduced the total evaluation time from 42 min to 18 min and increased the evaluation completeness from 55% to 95%, both with very large effect sizes. The time saving was mainly due to an automated report generation at the end of the analysis.

The DS can be offered as a valuable and effective tool in daily clinical routine and for research purposes.