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Uses and abuses of paediatric electroencephalography
Insights
Many paediatric electroencephalogram requests were inappropriate, often for diagnosing
Area of Science:
- Clinical Neurology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Paediatric electroencephalograms (EEGs) are crucial diagnostic tools.
- Guidelines exist for appropriate EEG use in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the appropriateness of paediatric EEG requests against guidelines.
- To evaluate the impact of EEG findings on clinical management.
- To determine adherence to waiting time targets for paediatric EEGs.
Main Methods:
- A case series design was employed.
- Data were collected from 109 paediatric patients undergoing EEG.
- Analysis focused on request appropriateness, clinical impact, and waiting times.
Main Results:
- 44% of EEG requests were deemed inappropriate, with 50% of these for diagnosing 'funny turns'.
- EEGs influenced diagnosis or management in only 28% of cases, all with appropriate requests.
- Waiting times were within targets for 95% of patients.
Conclusions:
- While the EEG service was effective, inappropriate requests were common due to misconceptions.
- Education on EEG guidelines can improve practice and benefit all stakeholders.
- Optimizing EEG utilization is key for efficient paediatric healthcare.
Objective:
To investigate whether requests for standard paediatric electroencephalograms accord with guideline recommendations, subsequent changes in clinical management according to reported results, and extent to which the service meets waiting time targets.
Design:
Case series.
Setting:
Regional hospital, Hong Kong.
Patients:
All patients aged less than 18 years who underwent electroencephalography between December 2009 and February 2010.
Main Outcome Measures:
Appropriateness of the electroencephalogram request and the impact of its findings on clinical management.
Results:
A total of 109 patients were recruited, but requests for standard electroencephalograms were considered 'inappropriate' with respect to guidelines in 44% of the patients, of which 50% were made to diagnose 'funny turns'. The standard electroencephalogram contributed to the diagnosis or management in only 28% of patients. In all of the latter, the request for an electroencephalogram had been appropriate. Nonspecialists made referrals for 86% of the patients. Inadequate information was provided in 66% of the requests. Standard electroencephalograms were performed within guideline targets, the wait being less than 4 weeks in 95% of requests.
Conclusion:
An effective electroencephalogram service was being provided, though abuses were common. These were mainly because of misconceptions regarding the role and limitations of standard electroencephalograms. Through an educative, non-confrontational approach, and with time to explain guideline recommendations to clinicians, sustainable change in practice could be achieved so as to benefit patients, clinicians, and service provision.
