Utilization of the electroencephalographic (EEG) service in a tertiary health care institution: a six-year study

In this retrospective study on the utilization of the electroencephalographic (EEG) service in a tertiary health care institution, the register of patients who had EEG done at the University College Hospital (UCH), between January 1990 through December 1995 was reviewed to determine: the number of EEGs done: constraints that militated against the full utilization; and the usage rate by departments in the UCH and outside health-care facilities. It was found that only 2311 EEG recordings were done in the 6 year study period. About 58% of the total number of patients were referred from the consultative clinics of the UCH and 23% of the number were patients referred from health-care facilities outside the UCH. The Department of Medicine was the major user-department and the epilepsies or seizure disorders were significantly the major reason for referring patients for EEG. The EEG facility at the UCH was grossly underutilized in the study period as the 2311 EEGs done only represented 25% of the estimated number that could have been done given the available manpower and equipment. Incessant industrial actions (strikes) by various categories of hospital staffers, non-availability of consumable items such as recording paper and electrode gel and rising costs of the EEG were identified as the causes of under-utilization. The fee charged for EEG in the UCH is subsidised and much less than what private clinics in Lagos and in Ibadan charge for a smaller sized recording paper. Suggestions are made for a sustainable EEG service and a plea for the EEG service to be included in the UCH Laboratory Services Revolving Fund System is also made.