ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: 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. MATERIAL/METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: The DS can be offered as a valuable and effective tool in daily clinical routine and for research purposes.
