JLE

Epileptic Disorders

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Elective inpatient video-EEG monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic Volume 23, issue 6, December 2021

Authors
1 School of Medicine
2 Department of Neurology
3 Department of Pathology
4 Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Neurology
5 Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA
* Correspondence: Travis E. Losey Department of Neurology, Loma Linda University, 11175 Campus Street CP 11108, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Objective

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of admission for elective video-EEG monitoring during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of elective inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit admissions at our institution from May 3rd, 2020 to August 12th, 2020. All patients were screened by telephone for symptoms concerning infection or recent diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 or excess medical risk prior to admission. Patients deemed eligible for admission underwent testing via a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 within three days of admission, and were directed to self-quarantine between testing and admission.

Results

The community seven-day case rate for SARS-CoV-2 (new cases per 100,000 population) ranged from 2.8 to 28.9 during the study period in our region. A total of 95 patients (63 adults and 32 children) were admitted. One adult patient developed mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and one adult patient tested positive for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Significance

These findings illustrate that inpatient epilepsy monitoring can be safely performed in carefully selected patients when appropriate processes are in place, even in the setting of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. There is a risk of nosocomial spread, and the potential benefits of admission should be balanced against the risks of infection.