Table 1.

Success and trials and tribulations of EEG service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trials and tribulations
Restrictions on performing routine outpatient EEG
Inpatient EEG performed only on urgent bases and routine studies discouraged
Reduced inter-hospital transfers affecting inpatient and continuous EEG
Reduced EEG performance associated with worse outcomes
Routine outpatient EEGs deferred in patients with symptoms or recent COVID-19 infection
Increased use of EEG in emergency departments leads to strain on emergency services
Reduction and often suspension of EMU admissions
Cancellation of adult and pediatric EMU evaluations
EEG technologist shortage further strained by the reorganization of healthcare systems
Successes
Best practice protocols, including equipment disinfection and allocation
Standardization of triage for inter-hospital transfers and teleconsultations
Protocols set in place for a more streamlined EEG workflow
Increased use of rapid EEG systems
Increased use and advancements in Tele-EEG
Increasing use of ambulatory EEG
Incorporating smartphone videos into epilepsy care
Reassessment of standard EEG procedures
Emphasis on the importance of training and retaining EEG staff