St. Joseph's Healthcare System

The North Jersey Swallowing Center conveniently located at both St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson and St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital, provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment to adults who have difficulty feeding or swallowing. Established in 1983, the center helps inpatients and outpatients from the tri-state area.

OUR STAFF:

We are licensed Speech-Language Pathologists who focus our practice on the evaluation and treatment of adults with swallowing disorders. Our clinical staff has attained or is working towards attaining Board Recognized Specialty in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BRS-S). We work in consultation with physicians, dietitians, physical and occupational therapists to provide quality, comprehensive interdisciplinary care.

INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT

Unique treatment plans are designed to specifically target each patient's area(s) of difficulty. The goals of treatment include teaching compensatory strategies that provide immediate short-term gains in the safety and efficiency of the swallow, as well as training in the use of exercises that provide long-term improvements. The wide range of treatment modalities available at the North Jersey Swallowing Center are research-based, with proven efficacy in helping patients to rehabilitate their swallow.

WOULD YOU BENEFIT FROM OUR SERVICES?

Please contact your physician first regarding any of these complaints:

• Slow or difficult chewing
• Slow or difficult swallowing
• Difficulty taking medications
• Coughing or "choking" when eating or drinking—going down the "wrong pipe"
• "Wet" vocal quality after swallowing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after swallowing
• "Stuck" sensation when eating and/or drinking
• Food remaining in the mouth after swallowing
• Unexplained and/or recurrent pneumonias or other respiratory infection
• Unexplained weight loss

COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION

Each patient receives a comprehensive clinical evaluation that assesses swallowing strengths and weaknesses. Using a variety of strategies, the Speech-Language Pathologist determines the most appropriate diet textures and postures that will either enhance and or maintain a mealtime routine for each patient. Our staff utilizes state-of-the-art imaging equipment that provides visualization of anatomy during the swallow, enabling the clinician to precisely identify the nature and location of the swallowing problem.

OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT

In order to assess dysphagia, or as a pre-cursor to treatment, the following tests may be recommended:

• Modified Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (MVS)
• Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES)

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