Accreditation Criteria
If a level 3 center is trying to become a level 4 center, does it need to wait for three years to meet the intracranial requirement of an average of 2 intracranial VEEGs per year or can a center qualify for level 4 if it can ramp up to 6 intracranial EEGs in one year?
Level 3 centers that have performed at least 6 intracranial cases in the last 3 years, and at least one in the prior year, can apply for level 4 accreditation. That includes centers which have done all six cases within the last year. Level 3 centers who cannot meet [...]
Does ECOG count as an intracranial VEEG report?
No, intra-operative ECOG reports do not count for this requirement. NAEC asks for VEEG Reports for patients with implanted intracranial electrodes (depth, grids, SEEG).
The criteria chart states an ENT can perform VNS at level 3 centers. Is there a rule regarding ENT performing VNS at level 4 centers?
An ENT or other competent surgeon can insert VNS at a level 3 or level 4 center. However, any level 3 centers that perform resective or ablative surgeries and all level 4 centers are required to have an ABNS board-certified or board-eligible neurosurgeon.
What are the EMU requirements for room set up – should all beds be hard-wired for EEG or can centers use portable EEG machines?
A hard-wired EEG room is not required. There must be a dedicated single location, i.e. a designated hospital ward, for EMU admissions staffed by epilepsy-trained nurses and nursing assistants. The video EEG cameras must be movable by the observer to track patients in their rooms.
Can family members/caregivers in the room satisfy the 24/7 VEEG monitoring requirement?ement?
No, family members/caregivers are insufficient to meet this requirement. It is desirable to have family members / caregivers in the room with the patient, but this does not replace the need for 24/7 staff monitoring of VEEG.
Can nursing staff meet the staffing requirement for VEEG monitoring?
Trained nursing staff may be used in place of monitor watchers, but nurses must be dedicated to monitoring the VEEGs and have no other responsibilities while they are watching the monitors.
Why is VEEG 24/7 monitoring required, when cardiac and O2 telemetry may be a responsive metric with significant cost differential?
The NAEC Board and Accreditation Committee determine all accreditation criteria and are in agreement that 24/7 VEEG monitoring should be a level 3 and 4 center requirement for the EMU. Monitoring of cardiorespiratory and oxygen saturation monitoring are insufficient to ensure patient safety in an environment when medications are [...]
What happens if there is a few hours’ gap in 24/7 “eyes on” monitoring?
NAEC requires that centers have sufficient staffing to cover anticipated or routine gaps.
Does NAEC plan to audit centers on 24/7 monitoring of EMU patients?
NAEC does not currently perform on-site audits but may require additional documentation for verification. The Center Medical Director must attest to the truthfulness of all information provided to NAEC for accreditation. NAEC investigates complaints and reports of centers not meeting requirements for accreditation.
What is the NAEC requirement for 24/7 monitoring of patients in the EMU?
NAEC requires all epilepsy centers to have trained personnel dedicated 24/7 to monitoring of video and EEG. The trained personnel are not required to be EEG technologists but must be trained in seizure recognition and recording integrity. NAEC does not require a specific monitor watcher to patient ratio to [...]
