EMU Admissions, Staffing and Services
If our center has staff that work at EMUs at two different hospitals, can we combine the admissions to both EMUs for purposes of NAEC accreditation or should we apply for NAEC accreditation for each hospital separately?
NAEC accredits epilepsy centers, not EMUs. Typically, epilepsy centers only exist in a single hospital, therefore the admissions of a partner hospital should not be added to the first hospital. Two hospitals, even with some staff in common, should apply for NAEC accreditation independently, which also allows both hospitals [...]
If an adult EMU has two different locations within one hospital, do the two EMUs need to be certified independently (number of admissions, training certification, etc)?
NAEC accredits epilepsy centers, not EMUs. If there are two EMUs for one center and within one hospital and one institution, then they do not need to be accredited independently. Admissions, staff training, etc can be combined, as long as both are supervised by the same Medical Director using [...]
What does “access to” a service mean and are patient reports required for services listed as “access to”?
All accreditation criteria have been reviewed to determine whether centers should have access to the service (with a partner epilepsy center or outside medical provider) vs. the service should be provided onsite (within their epilepsy center or institution). Patient reports are still required for some services that are now [...]
Would a patient report for recording using foramen ovale electrodes meet the requirement for intracranial VEEG reports?
No, foramen ovale electrodes with other intracranial grid or depth electrode placement are not sufficient for a Phase II intracranial monitoring evaluation.
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).
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 [...]
