Elective inpatient video-EEG monitoring during the COVID-19 pandemic

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of admission for elective video-EEG monitoring during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed a retrospective review of elective inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit admissions at our institution from May 3^rd, 2020 to August 12^th, 2020. All patients were screened by telephone for symptoms concerning infection or recent diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 or excess medical risk prior to admission. Patients deemed eligible for admission underwent testing via a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 within three days of admission, and were directed to self-quarantine between testing and admission. The community seven-day case rate for SARS-CoV-2 (new cases per 100,000 population) ranged from 2.8 to 28.9 during the study period in our region. A total of 95 patients (63 adults and 32 children) were admitted. One adult patient developed mild SARS-CoV-2 infection and one adult patient tested positive for asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. These findings illustrate that inpatient epilepsy monitoring can be safely performed in carefully selected patients when appropriate processes are in place, even in the setting of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. There is a risk of nosocomial spread, and the potential benefits of admission should be balanced against the risks of infection.