Abstracts

RATIONALE: EEG reporting is often inefficient, encumbered with an outdated dictation process that results in prolonged reporting time lag, laborious result, and poor retrieval data collection. A computerized EEG database/ reporting system may help to address these issues. METHODS: A reporting/ database system for digital EEG was created using a window Platform. The report includes patient information, seizure history, history of present illness and current drug regimen. It describes the state of the patient (asleep, awake, stupor, comatose, etc) as well as the frequency, voltage and distribution of normal and abnormal EEG activities. Results are classified using the Cleveland Clinic EEG classification system. Minimal typing is required, as all EEG activities, abnormalities, voltages, localization s and frequencies are preset within the database, and can be accessed with the click of a mouse. The vast majority of normal and abnormal EEG patterns are available as preset pull down menus. The EEG is summarized with pre-written impressions. All preset texts and other EEG activities can be edited as needed. RESULTS: The current database/ reporting system has been in use for more than one year. A total of 2026 EEGs were done. These included 1120 abnormal, 857 normal, and 49 patterns of uncertain significance. Among the most frequent abnormalities were sharp waves in different distributions in 14.8%, intermittent slowing in 9.5 % and spike-wave complexes in 8.5%. This system allows for same day reporting and quick comparison with previous records on file, and also tracks number of EEGs read by each resident. CONCLUSIONS: This windows database/ reporting system streamlines the EEG reports, providing uniformity, fast reporting, easy result retrieval, and research compilation, while eliminating the need for a transcriptionist. Any Windows compatible digital EEG can be read while at the same time utilizing the database on the same screen.