Electroencephalography (EEG) is a monitoring tool that helps detect neurological activity in the brain as well as responses to treatment. There are several forms of EEG, but as a whole it remains underutilized by many hospitals — in spite of its benefits for diagnosis, prognostication, and preventing brain injury. Understanding the value of EEG monitoring can improve its utilization and lead to better outcomes for patients.
EEG for Detecting Seizures
In the simplest terms, EEG monitors the brain’s electrical signals, helping to identify patterns and changes. One of the most fundamental uses of EEG is for detecting seizures. Seizures can be common in critically ill patients; and many seizures are nonconvulsive meaning there are no outward clinical signs. If these seizures go undetected, they can increase the likelihood of brain damage and even death. EEG is the only tool that can be used to identify nonconvulsive seizures.
Patients with neurological conditions such as acute structural lesions, traumatic brain injury, certain infections, substance use withdrawal, and epilepsy are all at risk for seizures, but according to Seminars in Neurology, an additional 22% patients in the medical ICU (with no brain injury) are at risk of seizure as well, especially in cases of sepsis and acute renal failure. Research showed that in the surgical ICU, 16% of patients undergoing EEG had electrographic seizures, and 29% had periodic discharges.
EEG monitoring can provide clinicians with more valuable data to assist in making care decisions quickly. Early findings can reveal who is at greater risk of seizure and may be candidates for longer periods of monitoring. And because EEG is noninvasive, there is a lower barrier to its utilization for many patients.
EEG for Monitoring Neurological Impacts and Treatment Responses
EEG is effective for detecting seizures, but it also serves a key role in prognostication for neurological conditions and assessing responses to treatment.
According to Critical Care, continuous EEG monitoring can help illuminate pathways for care in cases of sepsis, traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cardiac arrest. For example, this includes “predicting impending events of delayed cerebral ischemia, a feared complication in the first two weeks after subarachnoid hemorrhage.” Continuous EEG can also reveal a patient’s level of sedation or consciousness, and readings can indicate their progress under the current treatment protocol.
With ongoing insights, clinicians can adjust their treatment approaches in real time — but EEG remains underutilized due to a lack of availability and accessible neurological expertise. However, it’s clear that a greater ability to use this technology would certainly improve outcomes.
Improve Your Utilization of EEG
Are you interested in increasing the utilization of EEG at your hospital? SpecialtyCare provides EEG services across the country, including high-quality routine, stat, and continuous EEG/LTM studies. We can complement your in-house team by providing valuable insights and data that allow your clinicians to make more informed prognostications and treatment decisions. To leverage our EEG expertise for better patient outcomes, get in touch with us today!
