SUMMARY Objective To determine if the portable Ceribell? electroencephalograph (EEG) (Mountainview, CA) used for suspected status epilepticus (SE) can reduce time to diagnosis and on-call workforce demands and if it can be applied to patients in respiratory isolation Methods A multidisciplinary team developed a protocol for use of the Ceribell EEG The staff deploying the device, the attending physician, and the interpreting neurologist completed evaluation tools for each patient Data maintained for quality and resource planning of 18-channel electroencephalography ordered for suspected SE were used as controls Times to diagnosis were compared by application of Welch-Satterthwaite tests and workforce call-in demands by Fisher?s exact T-test We evaluated qualitative data related to the use of the EEG in COVID-19 isolation rooms and on its technical aspects and acceptance by staff members Results The Ceribell EEG reduced diagnosis time (p=0 0000006) and on-call workforce demand (p=0 02) The device can be used any time of day in any hospital care area and has advantages in respiratory isolation rooms Significance Compared with a standard 18-channel EEG, the Ceribell device allowed earlier diagnosis of SE and non-SE conditions and reduced workforce demands Due to the ease of its use and its simple components, which can be readily disinfected, it is advantageous for COVID-19 patients in isolation
Ceribell EEG Shortens Seizure Diagnosis and Workforce Time and Is Useful for COVID Isolation