Expert review of neurotherapeutics 2015 Mar 25
What type of EEG (or EEG-video) does your patient need?
Abstract
For many years, EEG has been synonymous with 'routine' EEG, a short recording without video. With digital technology, there are now many ways to perform EEG recordings. Variable attributes of EEG recordings include: inpatient versus outpatient, prolonged versus short, with video versus without, and with provocation/activation versus without. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, and, in particular, inpatient versus outpatient studies have major cost differences. In some situations EEG-video monitoring can be performed in the ambulatory/home rather than the inpatient setting.
Related Questions
How do you decide the length of a routine EEG?
A routine EEG, defined by codes 95819 or 95816, typically lasts 20-40 minutes or up to an hour. Studies lasting 1 to 2 hours (code 95813) lack a clear rationale and are not commonly utilized. "Prolonged" EEGs are the newer (2020) codes that depend on duration and whether or not there is video.The ch...
When do you consider ambulatory EEG as a reasonable alternative to inpatient video EEG?
There are many reasons to use ambulatory EEG video, as long as it is of good quality: Daily events and no need to reduce ASMs Shorter wait time The patient cannot bring a loved one to the EMU The patient cannot be hospitalized for days The main advantages of the inpatient setting are: The ability to...