Preparing for Your Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Admission
When preparing for your appointment at one of the UMMS Epilepsy Monitoring Units, there are some considerations to take with regards to your comfort and our ability to properly give the test.
We ask that you review this information prior to your visit to ensure you have the smoothest experience.
If you have any questions, please call us at 410-328-4323.
What to Expect
The length of your stay depends on the time needed to properly monitor your seizure activity. Although this varies among patients, a frequent length of stay is usually 3-5 days. We discuss your progress with you daily. Your doctor will meet with you to discuss your results after all the information has been reviewed.
Please plan to have breakfast and to take your medication prior to arriving on the day of admission.
A dedicated nurse will be assigned to you to plan all your nursing care for the length of your stay. When you arrive, a doctor or nurse will place a heparin lock (intravenous catheter) in a vein in your hand or arm. This is for your safety should you require any intravenous medication due to increased seizure activity.
Important Hair Preparation
Please remember to come in with your hair free from any spray, mousse, grease, or gel, just as you would for any EEG.
Electrodes will be placed on the scalp using adhesive.
Hair must be able to be parted by the technician for the electrode placement; adhesive remover/soap water will be used to remove the electrodes after the procedure.
What to Bring
Video-EEG monitoring requires you to stay in one room for an extended period of time, often 3-5 days.
Each room has a telephone, television and WiFi access. Please bring items for your comfort and entertainment. Items to bring include:
- Medications in their original prescription bottles. Continue to take them as prescribed until instructed to do otherwise.
- Entertainment items: Books, cards, board games, or anything you enjoy doing that will help pass the time.
- Pajamas and comfortable clothing. Your top should button or zipper down the front rather than go over your head.
- Personal toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, hand cream, etc.)
Please do not bring any valuables with you, as the hospital cannot be responsible for money or valuables.
Please remember that this is a non-smoking institution. We may prescribe a nicotine patch if medically needed.
While You're Being Monitored
Some seizures may cause injury. You need to be within the range of the camera as much as possible because we need to see your seizure activities.
Your video and EEG are monitored by staff onsite and at the Downtown Campus EMU, where our team reviews data for all patients undergoing EMU testing.
You cannot leave your room unless you are being sent for a special test, like an X-ray or scan.
Depending on the severity and frequency of your seizures, you may need to stay in bed with the padded side rails up. In this case, you may need to have a nurse, aide or a family member present for your bathroom trips or whenever you are out of bed.
During the time you are being monitored, you will not be allowed to shower or wash your hair. You will be able to wash up from a basin in the bathroom or at your bedside.
If you were referred by another doctor, a formal report will be sent to him/her as soon as the information has been analyzed.
Our Locations
We have two EMU locations:
- UM Rehabilitation and Orthopaedic Institute
- UMMC Downtown Campus
Make an appointment with one of our epilepsy specialists by calling 410-328-4323.
