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Importance of access to epilepsy monitoring units during the COVID-19 pandemic: consensus statement of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology∗

Publication ,  Journal Article
Beniczky, S; Husain, A; Ikeda, A; Alabri, H; Cross, JH; Wilmshurst, J; Seeck, M; Focke, N; Braga, P; Wiebe, S; Schuele, S; Trinka, E
Published in: Epileptic Disorders
August 1, 2021

Restructuring of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to lockdown of epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) in many hospitals. The ad-hoc taskforce of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN) highlights the detrimental effect of postponing video-EEG monitoring of patients with epilepsy and other paroxysmal events. The taskforce calls for action for continued functioning of EMUs during emergency situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Long-term video-EEG monitoring is an essential diagnostic service. Access to video-EEG monitoring of the patients in the EMUs must be given high priority. Patients should be screened for COVID-19, before admission, according to the local regulations. Local policies for COVID-19 infection control should be adhered to during the video-EEG monitoring. In cases of differential diagnosis in which reduction of antiseizure medication is not required, home video-EEG monitoring should be considered as an alternative in selected patients.

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Published In

Epileptic Disorders

DOI

EISSN

1950-6945

ISSN

1294-9361

Publication Date

August 1, 2021

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

533 / 536

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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Beniczky, S., Husain, A., Ikeda, A., Alabri, H., Cross, J. H., Wilmshurst, J., … Trinka, E. (2021). Importance of access to epilepsy monitoring units during the COVID-19 pandemic: consensus statement of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology∗. Epileptic Disorders, 23(4), 533–536. https://doi.org/10.1684/epd.2021.1292
Beniczky, S., A. Husain, A. Ikeda, H. Alabri, J. H. Cross, J. Wilmshurst, M. Seeck, et al. “Importance of access to epilepsy monitoring units during the COVID-19 pandemic: consensus statement of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology∗.” Epileptic Disorders 23, no. 4 (August 1, 2021): 533–36. https://doi.org/10.1684/epd.2021.1292.
Beniczky S, Husain A, Ikeda A, Alabri H, Cross JH, Wilmshurst J, Seeck M, Focke N, Braga P, Wiebe S, Schuele S, Trinka E. Importance of access to epilepsy monitoring units during the COVID-19 pandemic: consensus statement of the International League Against Epilepsy and the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology∗. Epileptic Disorders. 2021 Aug 1;23(4):533–536.
Journal cover image

Published In

Epileptic Disorders

DOI

EISSN

1950-6945

ISSN

1294-9361

Publication Date

August 1, 2021

Volume

23

Issue

4

Start / End Page

533 / 536

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences