Competency: 3

Details

Plan and prepare for EEG recordings in the intensive care setting

Considerations

• Local Standard Operating Procedure for EEG recordings in ICU
• The range of conditions of patients referred for EEG monitoring in the intensive care setting
• Special needs of intensive care patients
• The referral system and the justification for EEG monitoring in the intensive care setting
• The range and types of information required and its importance
• Checking for validity of information
• Appropriate action to be taken in the event of missing or invalid information
• The purpose of EEG in the intensive care and its appropriateness for the conditions presented
• Assessment of the appropriateness of the investigation requested with respect to the clinical question and the reason for referral
• Possible patient needs and environmental needs
• Factors that may influence the duration and quality of investigations
• The specific environmental hazards and precautions required in the intensive care setting
• The effect of medication (sedation) on the EEG
• Safe and correct operation of the equipment to be used, including all peripheral devices
• The importance of confirming the patient’s identity from the referral document and correct entry on the recording system
• The importance of establishing and maintaining effective communication persons associated with the patient (eg nursing staff, relatives, etc)
• The importance of checking there is adequate storage volume for the investigation to be performed
• The effects of sensitivity, display speed, filters, CMRR and sampling rate
• The range of electrodes and transducers used in intensive care recordings
• Factors of key importance to patient history
• Information that should be recorded and the checks for validity
• Appropriate electrode and transducer selection
• The necessary quantity and type of consumables required
• Confirmation of the patient’s identity
• Correct entry/identification on the recording system
• Recognised measuring systems and how they may need to be adapted in the intensive care setting
• Contact impedances are confirmed as appropriate to the electrode type and to the patient

Relevant learning outcomes