For Immediate Release
July 15, 2002
Contact: Maria E. Ramos
(219) 865-2141, ext. 45321
Maria.Ramos@ssfhs.org

HAMMOND/DYER, Ind.—Recreating the conditions that might trigger a patient’s seizures or syncopal attacks (fainting spells) is difficult in a hospital setting. Also, the limited time of a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) may not produce an accurate documentation of seizure activity.

The use of 24-hour ambulatory EEG confronts these challenges head-on. The Neurodiagnotics department at Saint Margaret Mercy Healthcare Centers’ North and South campuses recently enhanced 24-hour ambulatory EEG, a useful diagnostic tool for evaluating patients with unexplained loss of consciousness and known seizure disorders. The new technology allows Saint Margaret Mercy to provide better and faster diagnostic testing of seizure and epileptic disorders.

“Ambulatory” means to be capable of walking. An ambulatory EEG test allows the patient to walk around and carry on normally while recordings are being made.

“A routine EEG records electrocerebral activity over a relatively brief period,” said Ruth Moore, EEG/EMG supervisor in Neurodiagnostics. “By expanding the sampling time to 24 hours, the yield of the test is vastly increased.”

The procedure is absolutely painless. Approximately 18 electrodes are attached to the patient’s scalp plus two more on the chest for cardiac monitoring. The electrodes are plugged into a recording device that the patient wears on a specially designed belt.

“With concurrent monitoring of a cardiac channel, a true differentiation of cardiac versus neurological events can be made,” Moore said.

During the 24-hour ambulatory EEG, the patient is asked to maintain a simple diary of his or her normal activity. After the 24 hours are over, the patient returns to the hospital where the electrodes are removed and the tape is scanned by a qualified technician. The results are available to the referring physician within a couple of days after the test’s completion and are scored on site.

For more information on EEG or 24-hour ambulatory EEG, contact Neurodiagnostics at (219) 932-2300, ext. 34626 at the North Campus, or (219) 865-2141, ext. 44626, at the South Campus.