Inpatient Monitoring

Inpatient monitoring is when you stay in the hospital for 5-7 days having seizures recorded by video camera and EEG. We usually reduce or stop your medications and often make you stay up late to try and 'bring on' a seizure.

Monitoring is done for lots of different reasons. Sometimes monitoring is done to try and make sure the seizures are of they type we expect. Other times it is done to make sure the diagnosis of epilepsy is right, and that there is not some other cause that might explain blackouts. Often inpatient monitoring is done as part of the assessment to see if surgery for epilepsy is possible.

Whatever the reason, it is very important to record a seizure if we can. People often worry that they will have a seizure, but that is what we want to happen, so we can see what type it is and where it is from. This helps make sure we are giving the best treatment.  

Video EEG monitoring is an extension of the routine EEG, which you may have already had. Small surface electrodes are glued on the scalp to record the electrical activity of the brain. At the same time as the EEG recording we will be taking a video of you to compare with the EEG. This monitoring is continuous (24 hours a day) for the whole period of your stay.

Preparation:

Clothing :

•  Must be of suitable warmth, as you will be required to stay on top of the bed linen. Clothes with buttons and zips are best suited to your stay or loose neck shirts.

Entertainment:

•  A TV is available at a cost.

•  Bring something to occupy yourself: eg. Books, games.

Bring with you :

•  Bring all your current medications with you and continue taking them as prescribed.

•  All CT or MRI scans.

Things to note:

•  You may be required to undergo Neuropsychological and Psychiatric assessments.

•  You are not in a single room; you will be in a four (4)-bed room, where one other person will also be monitored.

•  May be sleep deprived (kept awake) for a number if the nights at he Docter's request.

•  Have an intravenous cannula inserted into your arm that will be changed after 3 days and remain in place until just prior to your discharge.

Protocol (What Happens When You Are In Hospital)

Read carefully – abiding by the protocol will help increase the chances of a successful stay. Failure to follow the protocol may result in your discharge from the hospital.

St Vincent 's Hospital ward protocol requires that you:

• Remain on the bed unless toileting or asked to move by hospital staff.
• Leave bed rails up at all times;
• Leave lights above bed turned on at all times;
• Rest on top of the bed linen and not in the bed;
• Have an intravenous cannula inserted into your arm that will be changed after 3 days and remain in place until just prior to your discharge.
• May be sleep deprived (kept awake) for a number of nights at the docter's requests.
• Refrain from leaving the ward unless required to attend assessment or other diagnostic testing.
• Refrain from touching any equipment used for your monitoring.
• Refrain from disconnecting yourself from the monitoring for any reason.
• Refrain from smoking during your stay. St. Vincent 's is a non-smoking hospital and as such there is no smoking on the hospital grounds or in any part of the hospital. It is advised that you organise Nicotine patches for the duration if our stay.

 

Day Video EEG monitoring information

Video EEG monitoring is an extension of the routine EEG, which you may have already had. Small surface electrodes are placed on the scalp to record electrical act of the brain. Unlike the EEG, which record for approximately 20 minutes, this is up to 5-6 hours. At the same time as the EEG recording we will be taking a video of you to compare with the EEG. It is important to remember that the EEG CANNOT :

• Read your mind;
• Determine your emotional state;
• Determine your intelligence;
• Give you an electrical shock.

•  Your hair should be clean and dry without hairspray, mouse, gel or oil. Bring a hairbrush or comb for tidying your hair at the end of the day.

•  Lunch is not provided, so you need to bring your own lunch with you;

•  Clothing: It is important to wear loose comfortable clothing, since you will be sitting for most of the day;

•  As the recording is for an extended period please bring along something to occupy yourself i.e. books, magazines; knitting etc. Having a visitor also helps to pass the time.

•  Smoking is NOT permitted in the hospital. During your monitoring you will not be permitted to leave the floor to have a smoke.

 

The Neurophysiology Department is located: 6 th Floor, Room 19 in the Inpatient Services Building St. Vincent 's Hospital, Princess Street; FITZROY (Directly behind the old hospital on Victoria Parade). Parking is available behind St Vincent 's Private hospital (SVPH) and under the public hospital. Both is accessible off Fitzroy Street (off Victoria parade)

 

Please direct any inquiries to:

Linda SEIDERER (Senior Medical Scientist)