Sahar F Zafar1, Rebecca J Khozein, Suzette M LaRoche, Michael B Westover, Emily J Gilmore. 1. Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.A.; and Department of Neurology, Mission Health, Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly impacted healthcare delivery and utilization. The aim of this article was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) utilization and identify areas for process improvement. METHODS: A 38-question web-based survey was distributed to site principal investigators of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Research Consortium, and institutional contacts for the Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation Board. The survey addressed the following aspects of cEEG utilization: (1) general center characteristics, (2) cEEG utilization and review, (3) staffing and workflow, and (4) health impact on EEG technologists. RESULTS: The survey was open from June 12, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and distributed to 174 centers with 79 responses (45.4%). Forty centers were located in COVID-19 hotspots. Fifty-seven centers (72.1%) reported cEEG volume reduction. Centers in the Northeast were most likely to report cEEG volume reduction (odds ratio [OR] 7.19 [1.53-33.83]; P = 0.012). Additionally, centers reporting decrease in outside hospital transfers reported cEEG volume reduction; OR 21.67 [4.57-102.81]; P ≤ 0.0001. Twenty-six centers (32.91%) reported reduction in EEG technologist coverage. Eighteen centers had personal protective equipment shortages for EEG technologists. Technologists at these centers were more likely to quarantine for suspected or confirmed COVID-19; OR 3.14 [1.01-9.63]; P = 0.058. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a widespread reduction in cEEG volume during the pandemic. Given the anticipated duration of the pandemic and the importance of cEEG in managing hospitalized patients, methods to optimize use need to be prioritized to provide optimal care. Because the survey provides a cross-sectional assessment, follow-up studies can determine the long-term impact of the pandemic on cEEG utilization.
PURPOSE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly impacted healthcare delivery and utilization. The aim of this article was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on in-hospital continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) utilization and identify areas for process improvement. METHODS: A 38-question web-based survey was distributed to site principal investigators of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Research Consortium, and institutional contacts for the Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation Board. The survey addressed the following aspects of cEEG utilization: (1) general center characteristics, (2) cEEG utilization and review, (3) staffing and workflow, and (4) health impact on EEG technologists. RESULTS: The survey was open from June 12, 2020 to June 30, 2020 and distributed to 174 centers with 79 responses (45.4%). Forty centers were located in COVID-19 hotspots. Fifty-seven centers (72.1%) reported cEEG volume reduction. Centers in the Northeast were most likely to report cEEG volume reduction (odds ratio [OR] 7.19 [1.53-33.83]; P = 0.012). Additionally, centers reporting decrease in outside hospital transfers reported cEEG volume reduction; OR 21.67 [4.57-102.81]; P ≤ 0.0001. Twenty-six centers (32.91%) reported reduction in EEG technologist coverage. Eighteen centers had personal protective equipment shortages for EEG technologists. Technologists at these centers were more likely to quarantine for suspected or confirmed COVID-19; OR 3.14 [1.01-9.63]; P = 0.058. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a widespread reduction in cEEG volume during the pandemic. Given the anticipated duration of the pandemic and the importance of cEEG in managing hospitalized patients, methods to optimize use need to be prioritized to provide optimal care. Because the survey provides a cross-sectional assessment, follow-up studies can determine the long-term impact of the pandemic on cEEG utilization.
Authors: Aristea S Galanopoulou; Victor Ferastraoaru; Daniel J Correa; Koshi Cherian; Susan Duberstein; Jonathan Gursky; Rajani Hanumanthu; Christine Hung; Isaac Molinero; Olga Khodakivska; Alan D Legatt; Puja Patel; Jillian Rosengard; Elayna Rubens; William Sugrue; Elissa Yozawitz; Mark F Mehler; Karen Ballaban-Gil; Sheryl R Haut; Solomon L Moshé; Alexis Boro Journal: Epilepsia Open Date: 2020-05-17