Pittsburgh's Mobile Swallowing Specialist

Expert Swallowing Evaluations,
Wherever Your Patient Is

VitalReach Mobile FEEs brings board-certified, clinician-led Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing directly to nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and patients' homes across the Greater Pittsburgh area.

Request a Referral Learn About FEEs

Mobile

We come to you

CCC-SLP

Board-certified specialist

Flexible Endoscope

A thin, flexible camera is gently passed through the nose to view the throat in real time.

Real-Time Video

The clinician observes how food and liquid move through the pharynx and larynx during swallowing.

Immediate Results

Findings are discussed with the patient or care team right away, with a written report to follow.

Education

What is a FEEs Evaluation?

A Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEEs) is a gold-standard instrumental assessment of swallowing function performed by a certified Speech-Language Pathologist. A thin, flexible endoscope is passed gently through the nasal passage to provide a direct, real-time view of the structures involved in swallowing.

Unlike a Modified Barium Swallow (MBS), FEEs requires no radiation, no special suite, and no contrast agents — making it the ideal choice for patients who cannot easily travel to a hospital or imaging center.

The procedure helps identify the root cause of dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) — including aspiration, pharyngeal residue, and laryngeal dysfunction — so that safe and appropriate diet and treatment recommendations can be made.

Who may benefit? Patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease, ALS, head and neck cancer, dementia, or any condition affecting the ability to eat and drink safely.

Credential CCC-SLP, ASHA Certified

Graduate Degree M.S., Cal State San Marcos

Undergraduate Degree B.S., University of Pittsburgh

Experience 5+ Years Acute Care

Meet Your Clinician

Madeline "Maddy" Ostrom

M.S., CCC-SLP · Founder, VitalReach Mobile FEEs LLC

Maddy is a Pittsburgh-native and board-certified Speech-Language Pathologist with a deep passion for serving medically complex patients who deserve expert care — wherever they call home. She founded VitalReach Mobile FEEs LLC to bring high-quality, instrumental swallowing evaluations directly to the patients and communities that need them most.

After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Maddy went on to complete her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology at California State University San Marcos. She returned to Pittsburgh and has spent over five years working in acute care hospital settings, developing deep clinical expertise in dysphagia evaluation and management across a wide range of complex medical diagnoses.

Her hospital background means she brings a level of clinical rigor and critical thinking to every mobile evaluation that is typically only found in inpatient settings. She understands the urgency of swallowing concerns, the importance of clear communication with care teams, and the real impact that timely, accurate results have on patient safety and quality of life.

Pittsburgh native — deeply connected to this community

5+ years acute care hospital experience

ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP)

Specialized FEEs training & dysphagia expertise

Why Mobile?

Bringing the Evaluation to Your Patient

Transporting a medically complex patient for a swallowing study adds burden, cost, and risk. VitalReach eliminates the trip entirely.

Reduces Patient Burden

Medically fragile, elderly, or immobile patients receive the same high-quality evaluation without a difficult or unsafe transport.

Faster Access to Care

Avoid weeks-long waits for hospital scheduling. We aim to see patients within days of referral.

Familiar Environment

Patients are often more comfortable and cooperative in their own setting, leading to more accurate and naturalistic results.

Medication Safety

Identifies whether patients can safely swallow pills and medications, reducing aspiration risk and improving medication compliance.

Actionable Recommendations

Written reports delivered promptly to the referring physician, facility team, or care coordinator.

Care Team Collaboration

We coordinate directly with nursing staff, dietitians, and physicians to ensure seamless follow-through on findings.

What We Offer

Our Services

Comprehensive dysphagia care brought directly to your facility or patient's home.

Mobile FEEs Evaluation

Our core service — a full fiberoptic endoscopic swallowing study conducted at the patient's location. We assess pharyngeal anatomy, swallowing physiology, and aspiration risk across multiple food and liquid consistencies.

Core Service

Diet Texture & Liquid Recommendations

Based on FEEs findings, we provide evidence-based diet texture and liquid viscosity recommendations aligned with the IDDSI framework to help care teams reduce aspiration risk while maintaining patient dignity and nutrition.

Clinical Guidance

Comprehensive Written Reports

Detailed written reports summarizing findings, clinical impressions, and recommendations are provided to the referring provider and care team — typically within 24–48 hours of the evaluation.

Documentation

Dysphagia Consultation

For facilities or families seeking clinical guidance without a full FEEs study, we offer dysphagia consultations including clinical swallowing evaluation, history review, and care planning support.

Consultation

Staff Education

In-service training for nursing and care staff at long-term care facilities on dysphagia recognition, safe feeding techniques, and diet texture preparation per IDDSI standards.

Education

Follow-Up Evaluations

Repeat FEEs studies to monitor progress, assess the impact of treatment or medical changes, and update dietary and management recommendations over the course of a patient's care.

Ongoing Care

Patient Populations

Who We Serve

We work with a wide range of patients and partner with the providers who care for them.

Nursing Facility Residents

Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities throughout Greater Pittsburgh.

Home-Bound Patients

Patients receiving home health care who cannot safely travel to an outpatient site.

Assisted Living

Residents at assisted living and memory care communities with new or changing dysphagia.

Hospital Referrals

Patients transitioning from acute care who need a prompt swallowing evaluation before or after discharge.

How It Works

From Referral to Report

A simple, streamlined process designed to minimize burden on your care team.

Submit a Referral

Physician or facility team contacts us via phone, email, or the form below.

Schedule Visit

We coordinate a convenient appointment, typically within days of the referral.

On-Site Evaluation

Our SLP arrives with all equipment and conducts the FEEs study at the patient's location.

Report & Follow-Up

A comprehensive written report is delivered to the referring provider within 24–48 hours.

Where We Work

Proudly Serving Greater Pittsburgh

We serve patients and facilities across Allegheny County and many surrounding communities.

Coverage Areas Include

Pittsburgh (all neighborhoods)

North Hills

South Hills

East End / Monroeville

West Hills / Moon

Bethel Park

Mt. Lebanon

Penn Hills

Cranberry Township

Wexford / McCandless

McKeesport

Canonsburg

Not Sure If We Serve Your Area?

Our primary service area covers Allegheny County and frequently extends into Washington, Beaver, Butler, and Westmoreland Counties. We are happy to discuss your specific location — don't hesitate to reach out.

We are currently accepting new facility partners and welcoming physician referrals throughout the Pittsburgh region.

Facility Partnerships: If your skilled nursing facility, assisted living community, or home health agency is interested in a regular partnership, contact us to discuss scheduling arrangements and rates.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to what providers and families most commonly ask us.

Is FEEs safe and comfortable for patients?

Yes. FEEs is well-tolerated by most patients. A thin, flexible scope is passed through the nose — the procedure is non-invasive, requires no sedation, and typically takes 20–30 minutes. Topical anesthetic spray can be used to improve comfort.

What is needed from the facility before the visit?

We typically need a physician order, relevant medical history, and a quiet space to conduct the evaluation. Our team will guide you through everything when the appointment is scheduled.

How is FEEs different from a Modified Barium Swallow?

A Modified Barium Swallow (MBS) requires a fluoroscopy suite and radiation exposure. FEEs uses no radiation, no contrast agents, and can be performed anywhere — making it ideal for mobile settings. Both are complementary, gold-standard procedures.

Do you accept insurance?

We are actively working on insurance credentialing. Currently, we work with facilities on a fee-for-service basis. Please contact us to discuss payment options and to understand what may be covered for your patient.

Can family members be present during the evaluation?

Absolutely. We welcome and encourage family members or designated representatives to be present. It can be a valuable opportunity for education and shared decision-making about dietary management.

How quickly can you see a patient?

We strive to schedule evaluations within 3–5 business days of receiving a completed referral. For urgent clinical situations, please call us directly to discuss expedited scheduling.

Get in Touch

Ready to Refer a Patient?

Reach out by email or the referral form. We typically respond within one business day and are happy to answer any clinical questions before scheduling.

Email info@vitalreachfees.com

Location Greater Pittsburgh, PA

Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Expert Swallowing Evaluations,Wherever Your Patient Is