Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital first in state to offer new therapy for swallowing disorders following stroke
Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital is the first hospital in Virginia to offer the Phagenyx System, an innovative therapy designed to help patients recover swallowing function following a stroke.
The addition of the system adds to the hospital’s stroke program and provides a new treatment option for patients experiencing severe dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, after stroke.
Dysphagia is one of the most common complications following a stroke. Left untreated, it can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, dehydration and prolonged hospital stays while significantly impacting a patient’s quality of life and recovery.
Unlike traditional therapies that focus primarily on strengthening the muscles involved in swallowing, the Phagenyx System uses pharyngeal electrical stimulation to activate the nerves and pathways involved in swallowing. By delivering gentle electrical stimulation through a temporary catheter, the therapy is designed to support recovery of swallowing function in eligible patients.
“Recovering the ability to swallow safely is a major milestone for many stroke survivors and can have a profound impact on their recovery and quality of life,” said Speech Language Pathologist Rachel Greif of Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital. “This technology gives our team another tool to support patients on their recovery journey and may help reduce the need for long-term feeding tubes.”
The Phagenyx System is offered to patients through a multidisciplinary approach involving Bon Secours St. Mary’s speech-language pathology team, in collaboration with ICU physicians, nurses and other members of the stroke care team. Together, they identify eligible patients and provide comprehensive care focused on improving recovery and long-term outcomes.
Clinical studies have shown the Phagenyx System may help eligible patients improve swallowing safety, resume eating and drinking sooner, reduce the risk of aspiration and pneumonia, shorten hospital stays and decrease the need for long-term feeding tube placement.
