Video-EEG monitoring is a more specialized form of an electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG is a recording of the brain's electrical activity. Video EEG monitoring permits the study of your brainwave activity (EEG) at the same time a seizure or spell is occurring. This information helps doctors determine the nature of your seizure or spell and helps determine how to most effectively treat your condition.

Your doctor may suggest Video-EEG monitoring to diagnose episodic events (those which happen from time to time). Such events may include, but are not limited to: epileptic seizures, fainting or black-out spells, spells of unknown origin, confusion, hallucinations or behavior problems.

The length of your stay will depend on how frequent you have your seizures or spells. To make an accurate diagnosis, we may have to record more than one seizure or spell. The average stay is around 3 to 5 days. Your stay is voluntary. If you need to leave by a certain date, please feel free to discuss this with your doctor.

You will be in a regular patient room. A team of doctors will meet with you daily. Registered nurses will provide your daily care.

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit has an activity room for your use. The activity room is equipped with a TV and VCR. You will have access to movies from the hospital's Patients' Library, puzzles, SEGA, and games.

Items to Bring from Home
Hospital gowns and pants are available for your use. If you would feel more comfortable in your own clothes, bring a one week supply of button-down shirts, sweat pants and /or shorts and underclothes.

Our goal is to simulate your everyday life as much as possible. We encourage you to bring items from home, such as reading materials, paperwork, crafts, battery-operated tape player and tapes. Each room has a TV for your leisure use.

Smoking Policy
The hospital is a non-smoking environment. You will not be permitted to smoke while you are being monitored. The doctor can prescribe a Nicotine patch or gum to help you through your hospitalization if you wish.

Personal Hygiene
Because of the complexity of the equipment attached to you, you will not be able to shower or wash your hair. Please wash your hair thoroughly before you are to be admitted. Do not use any creams or styling gels. You will be able to sponge bath daily.

Medications
Do not change the dosage of your medication before your admission, unless your doctor has given you specific instructions to do so. Please bring a complete list of all your medications and dosages with you.

Activation Procedures
We may try to recreate your seizure or spell by using certain procedures. We may ask you to do such things as stay up all night, exercise, or rapid breathe in an attempt to produce a seizure or spell.

Test Results
A specially trained doctor will review your monitoring daily. The results will be discussed with you by the team of doctors each day. Upon discharge from the hospital, a summary letter will be sent to your regular doctor.

For More Information
If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment, please give as much notice as possible. A room, equipment and technologist have been scheduled especially for you. If you have questions or need to change your appointment, please call the Neurology Clinic at 319-3562571, between 8 a m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.