RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Feasibility and usefulness of rapid 2-channel-EEG-monitoring (point-of-care EEG) for acute CNS disorders in the paediatric emergency department: an observational study JF Emergency Medicine Journal JO Emerg Med J FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and the British Association for Accident & Emergency Medicine SP 919 OP 922 DO 10.1136/emermed-2020-209891 VO 38 IS 12 A1 Leopold Simma A1 Florian Bauder A1 Thomas Schmitt-Mechelke YR 2021 UL http://emj.bmj.com/content/38/12/919.abstract AB Introduction The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and clinical utility of point-of-care electroencephalogram (pocEEG) in the paediatric emergency department (ED) for children presenting with acute non-traumatic central nervous system (CNS) disorders.Methods Retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data in paediatric patients (0–16 years) with acute non-traumatic CNS-disorders presenting between April 2014 and February 2017 to a single paediatric ED in Switzerland.The 2-channel EEG was applied to all patients presenting with acute seizures or impaired consciousness to the ED. For a pocEEG, scalp surface electrodes are applied in five locations, thus allowing registration of fronto-temporal bilateral cortical activity. Neurology consultants assisted with interpretation of readings. EEG findings and clinical characteristics were collected. Feasibility and usefulness were rated via Likert scale.Results 36 patients with acute seizures or altered mental status were analysed. Age range was 9 months to 15 years, median age of 34 months. 21 of 36 (58%) patients arrived out of hours. Application of electrodes was rated as ‘easy’ in 28 (77.8%) patients and rated as ‘difficult’ in 8 (22.2%). The utility of the EEG was rated by physicians as ‘very useful/diagnostic’ in 13 cases (36%), ‘useful’ in 21 cases (58%), ‘not useful’ in two cases (8%). None were rated ‘negative.’Conclusion Uptake of pocEEG introduction has been very encouraging. Provider ratings were overwhelmingly positive. Recognition of non-convulsive status epilepticus was improved and pocEEG facilitated more targeted interventions.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as online supplemental information. All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.