COVID-19 Information

DiagnosTEX has a serious commitment to safety and security of both our staff and patients during this challenging time. From DiagnosTEX’s inception, we've been committed to the safety and security of the communities we serve. In addition to the multiple care levels of patients we service, DiagnosTEX is provider for many essential facilities in our communities. These institutions are serving a critical role in helping keep our communities running safely and we are teaming with them all to make sure this continues as long as needed.  At DiagnosTEX the safety of our patients and employees is our top priority every day.  While health and safety standards and procedures are followed on a daily basis at DiagnosTEX, we wanted to make you aware of the ongoing and extra precautions we’re taking to ensure everyone stays healthy during this time of heightened concern about Coronavirus (COVID-19).

What DiagnosTEX is doing to keep staff and patients safe during the COVID19 health crisis? 

  • Download our COVID-19 Recovery Packet
  • We are closely monitoring daily updates and recommendations from the CDC.
  • All employees are screened daily at DiagnosTEX including monitoring of their temperature.
  • We are sanitizing our medical clinic, cleaning before, during, and after each patient seen with medical grade disinfectant and sanitizers.
  • Proper PPE equipment is being used. Gloves and N95 masks are being worn by all staff during contact with the patient.
  • There is no required contact between the patient and the equipment used.
  • Our DiagnosTEX staff is not entering any facility/buildings. All patients are meeting our staff at the front door and each patient is screened for current vitals and temperature before entering the mobile clinic for the evaluation.
  • Every night our end-of-day cleaning team is disinfecting all hand-contact surfaces in patient accessible areas (armrests, door handles, counters, railings, equipment etc.). At the end of each week, the mobile clinics are again deodorized, sanitized and all surfaces are detailed again.
  • Temporarily, no other observers, visitors, staff or family members will be allowed on the clinics.
  • Food and liquid used during the study are pre-mixed in a safe environment and then properly disposed of.
  • All employees have also been instructed to notify DiagnosTEX if they are showing symptoms and to not come to work if they experience fever or have come in contact with anyone who has had the Coronavirus. We will promptly contact local health department for any suspicion. Employees are to contact management if they have left the country in the past 14 days.

FEES vs MBSS

Just something to consider when you are deciding between the instrumental evaluation of FEES and an MBSS to assess for dysphagia during the COVID crisis. Existing evidence reported by the CDC indicates that the viral density is greatest in the nose and nasopharynx, it is likely that use of instrumentation, such as endoscopes, in and through these areas would lead to increased risk for transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, procedures such as FEES typically involve the application of various sprays, which can aerosolize the pathogens on the mucosa. You can read more about these COVID precautions on the CDC and at www.asha.org. Make sure you are make the right decision for your patient’s current situation. 

An MBSS is still a very important evaluation for dysphagia patients to have at this time. The instrumental evaluation provides direct lateral and AP viewing of cervical spine, soft tissue abnormalities, detection and visualization of the depth of aspiration, stage transition, and biomechanics of all stages of the swallow through the lower esophagus. The most comprehensive imaging of the swallow available.  It is important to keep the respiratory status as strong and uncompromised as possible, considering the effect of COVID 19 if contraction should occur.