EMU Seizure
Assessment: An
Interactive Video
Cathleen Solecki MSN, RN, CCRN, CNRN
Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Pointe
OBJECTIVES
1.
Summarize the steps in producing an
interactive video for educational purposes.
2.
Demonstrate how to respond and correctly
assess a seizure patient after watching the
interactive video.
3.
Describe the role of the nurse and EEG
Technician in assessing a seizure patient in an
Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
4.
Compare and contrast the benefits of using an
interactive video.
Purpose of Video
• We identified that nurses were not always
comfortable in their assessment skills when
responding to and assessing a seizing patient.
• Evident by reviewing seizure assessments
performed by nursing staff via patient video
monitoring.
• A video was produced to improve the EMU nurses
knowledge, proficiency, and increase comfort level
for nurses performing an assessment of a seizure
patient.
Goal of the Video
• The goal of the video was to provide an
educational resource for the nurses to
illustrate what to avoid during a seizure
assessment and then demonstrate the
proper way to perform a seizure
assessment.
• A process was developed to educate
the nurses that is reproducible,
educationally and financially sound.
Steps in Video Production
• Script production with staff feedback
• AV production
• Final Edits
• Distribution
• Implementation and Evaluation
Watch Video
Seizure Management
Management of the patient with seizures
focuses on:
1. Controlling the seizure as quickly as
possible
2. Preventing recurrence
3. Maintaining patient safety
4. Identifying the underlying cause.
Role of the Nurse and EEG Tech
•The Person doing the assessment needs to
describe out loud what activity the patient is doing
during the event, in case movements are not being
seen well on camera.
• If the patient answers questions, you need to
repeat what the patient says, often patient may
speak quietly and their response in not picked up
on camera.
• If patient has no verbal response, state that as
well.
Role of the Nurse
Event Guidelines
1. RESPOND
A. Turn on room lights
B. Pull back covers so patient can be seen.
C. Turn the patient to the side
D. Note start and end times of event
E. Do Not block camera view
2. EVENT ASSESSMENT
A. Check Eyes
1. Deviation direction
2. Open/Closed
3. Fluttering
4. Pupils dilated/reactive to light
B. Pt Movements
1. Describe type of movement (twitching, jerking, fumbling
2. Unilateral/Bilateral
3. Mouth movements: lip smacking/chewing
4. Teeth: grinding/clenched
5. Head deviation
Role of the Nurse
C. Level of Consciousness
1. Oriented to self: Ask patient what their name is
2. Oriented to place: Ask patient where they are
3. Oriented to time: Ask patient the month and year
D. Motor Tasks
1. Squeeze hand
2. Point to the ceiling
3. Move head right/left/up/down
4. Lift legs
5. Touch their nose
E. Memory tasks
1. Give pt words to remember
2. Name item or person in front of them
3. Count to 10
4. Recite alphabet
Role of the EEG Tech
•Whether it’s in the EEG lab or in the EMU setting, the
tech functions as the eyes and ears for the neurologist.
•Proper assessment and documentation is crucial to the
interpretation of data.
•The tech describes patient movements and behaviors
on the EEG record.
• If a patient experiences an event during the EEG, the
tech must assess the patient so that the
electroencephalographer is able to identify clinical
symptoms or changes in mental status.
Role of the EEG Tech
•The function of an EMU technologist may vary
depending on the facility
•An EMU tech works as a team with a specialized
EMU RN
•The technologist responds to clinical behaviors
and/or EEG changes. The tech alerts the RN.
Through camera adjustments and use of the
intercom unit the tech monitors the event and keeps
the nurse informed of the EEG changes and length
of the episode.
•At times, the tech will assist the nurse in the room
Benefits of Interactive Video
• Pros
• Used as an educational resource for
nurses and EEG Technicians
• Reproducible, educationally and
financially sound
• Videos can foster critical skills such as
problem solving, critical thinking, and
collaboration
• It ensures that everyone gets the same
information at the same time
Benefits of Interactive Video
• Pros
• Videos can also be created by training
consultants for the specific needs of the
particular organization or individual
departments
• It is a personal, face-to-face type of training as
opposed to computer-based training (Training today,
2013).
• They make training more fun and enjoyable
• YouTube hosts more than 800 million unique
visitors every month and more than 3 billion
videos are viewed every day (Global Thinkers, 2013).
Benefits of Interactive Video
• Cons
• Requires computer equipment
• Difficult to modify
• Lengthy development time
EMU Staff
SUMMARY
Key points
• Management consists on controlling
the seizure as quickly as possible
• Preventing recurrence
• Maintaining patient safety
• Identifying the underlying cause
References
• Retrieved from http://trainingtoday.blr.com/employeetraining-resources/How-to-Choose-the-Most-EffectiveTraining-Techniques
• Retrieved from http://globalthinkers.com/2012/02/videomarketing-pros-cons/
QUESTIONS?
THANK
YOU!