Neurodiagnostics Lab

Written by Merrilee Phillips, Director of Neuroscience Services

To ensure timely completion and reading of urgent/stat inpatient EEGs, and to clarify expectations for non-STAT or routine EEGs, TMCA’s Neurodiagnostic Lab is implementing a few modifications to the referral process for inpatient Neurodiagnostics Testing (EEG, Evoked Potentials, Long-Term EEG Videomonitoring).

The lab will continue to be staffed Monday through Friday with our regular EEG staff. Weekends and after hours will continue to be limited to on call coverage only.

MONDAY – FRIDAY

For inpatient routine EEGs and EP orders:

• All orders for routine EEGs and EPs that are received in the lab prior to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday will be completed that day.
• All routine orders that are received in the lab after 4 p.m. will be put on the schedule for the following morning.

WEEKENDS

• All orders for URGENT (those tests that cannot wait until Monday) inpatient EEGs and EPs, please page the EEG Tech to arrange a time for the procedure.

*Please be aware that all non-STAT weekend EEGs may not be read by the neurologist until the following Monday.

After hours "STAT" and LTM orders, both on Weekdays and Weekends

• STAT orders and Long-Term EEG Videomonitoring will require the on-call neurologist to be contacted prior to activating the EEG Tech(this is to ensure that the neurologist is aware and will be available to read the study).
• The neurologist will then contact the EEG Tech to coordinate timing of the test/reading by the neurologist.

"STAT" EEGs include the following:

• Management of status epilepticus
• Determination of subclinical seizures
• Monitoring of drug-induced coma
• Trauma/Emergency surgery

These changes only impact inpatient Neurodiagnostic procedures. All Outpatient referrals will continue to be processed in the same way they are currently being completed. Outpatient referrals may be called directly to the Neurodiagnostic Lab at 303-695-2783 or can be faxed to 303-873-5802

Thank you in advance for your support of these minor changes to our EEG referral process. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions.