Adult Inpatient Video EEG Monitoring
Name: _______________________________________________
Appointment Date: __________________________________________
Appointment Times:
___________________ Admission office on the 2nd floor at the main hospital entrance
___________________ VA Hospital, 7B, (608) 280-7044
What is video EEG monitoring?
A Video EEG helps us to find out more about the kind of seizures you are having. During the test, a camera records your behavior. This is paired with an EEG recording of your brain wave activity. Sometimes movements may look like seizures, but they are not. If you have seizures, this study will help us learn how strong the seizures are and how often the seizures occur. We are also looking to find out what part of the brain the seizures are coming from.
This test will also help to decide if you are having silent seizures. These are seizures that occur without any physical signs, but changes can be seen on the EEG.
This test will take place in the hospital and can take between 1-5 days to complete.
Insurance information
Please call your insurance company to find out if this test and hospital stay are covered. Some do not cover it. Some need a referral from your primary doctor first. If this is the case, ask your doctor for the referral letter right away. It often takes insurance companies 2-4 weeks to decide on coverage. They will let you know what they decide. Feel free to contact the HMO desk at (608) 263-8773 if you have any questions or need help. Because this process can be very complicated, contact the staff at the Epilepsy program if you have any questions. The number is (608) 263-2534.
Before the procedure
If you have any special needs, please call the staff on the Neurology Unit (D6/4) at (608) 263-8380 in advance. You may choose to wear a hospital gown or your own clothes. Your shirt or blouse must button or zip in the front. This makes it easier to change when the EEG wires (leads) are in place. Wash your hair the night before the test. In order to obtain the best test results, your medicine will likely be reduced. We may ask you to go without sleep in order to start a seizure. You may want to bring items to pass the time like books, videos, puzzles, games, hobbies or art supplies. Feel free to bring a favorite pillow.
The day of the test
Come early and check-in at the admissions office 1/2 hour before test is scheduled to begin.
After you have been seen in admissions, you will be directed to your inpatient room. Once in your room, an EEG technologist will go over the test with you.
- Getting Ready
Wires will be secured to your head. They will be wrapped with gauze to keep the wires from getting tangled or pulled off. After your head is wrapped in gauze, we will take you to a room on the Neurology Unit, 4th floor (D6/4). A neurologist who will take part in your evaluation will see you.
- Monitoring
A camera and a microphone are mounted on the wall of your room. Audio and video recording will begin right away. The EEG staff will watch you and the EEG from another room. They will be able to talk with you and your family by intercom. You will have an intravenous (IV) line placed in one of your arms in case you need IV seizure medicines. Your normal seizure medicines will be decreased to encourage a seizure and you may be deprived of sleep. This can result in more severe and/or more frequent seizures (status epilepticus). If this occurs, your doctor will decide what treatment is best for you.
- Working Together
If you feel a seizure coming on, you will be asked to tell the staff by pressing an event button. If you have an adult family or friend with you, they will be asked to press the event button when they see a seizure occur. Please let us know if the event you are having is typical or not. This will help the doctor review and interpret the results.
- Activity Restrictions
You will be confined to your room. This includes your bed, the area around the bed, and the bathroom. A TV and radio with local channels are found in each room. You may request a cot in your room for a family member or friend. Your overnight guest may use your bathroom and shower. A small light is left on in the room all night so you can be seen clearly in the video. You will eat your meals in the room. Friends and family may bring their own food or go to the cafeteria and bring back food so they can eat with you. Your friends and family may also order from the cafeteria and have the food delivered to the room. They must have the exact amount to pay for it.
After the test
While you are being tested, your doctor may see a part of the EEG and be able to give you preliminary results. Formal results are most often ready in 2 weeks. When you get home, call to schedule a clinic visit to review the results with your neurologist. Your seizure medicine will be resumed before you go home. When you go home, you will need to have someone stay with you the first night in case you have increased seizures or any other problems.
Phone Numbers
If you have any questions about the test, please call the Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic Nurse or talk to your nurse while you are in the hospital. If you need to change the date or time of the test, please call the program nurse.
Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic at (608) 263-2534
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942. Ask for the Epilepsy Clinic Nurse.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #7050.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 06/16/2011
Copyright © 06/16/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5480
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