Data derived helps give physicians options for intractable seizures
The Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital announces the establishment of an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). The Unit is designed to evaluate, diagnose and treat intractable seizures in adult patients.
In the EMU, seizures are recorded and studied so that proper diagnosis can be made and treatment can be optimized. Patients who suffer from seizures that are difficult to diagnose and manage are those most likely to be admitted, as well as those who are being considered for seizure surgery.
Patients who take medication to control seizures may have their dosage adjusted or discontinued to increase the probability of seizure activity, providing the opportunity for them to be recorded and analyzed. The anticipated length of stay in the EMU varies with each patient, depending upon the tests and monitoring required and the number of seizures each patient experiences.
Staffed with specially trained medical, nursing, and technical personnel, the EMU is equipped with computer-based monitoring equipment designed for the evaluation of seizure disorders 24 hours a day.
“The ability to continuously monitor each patient in the EMU allows our team to refine diagnoses and respond in real time to a patient’s needs as a seizure occurs,” said Pooja Patel, MD, Director of the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the Institute. “Based on the evaluation, the best treatment options can be determined with the goal of reducing a patient’s seizure burden and improving quality of life.”
Typically, patients have an initial outpatient consultation with a physician at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute. If appropriate, an admission will then be scheduled. Referring physicians will receive a full report from the patient’s EMU neurologist after discharge.
“The establishment of an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is another example of the growing clinical capabilities at the Marcus Neuroscience Institute,” said Frank Vrionis, MD, MPH, PhD, Director of the Institute. “This will prove to be a valuable tool for the treatment of patients with epilepsy.”
