Providence Brain Institute Holds Blessing for New Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

March 3, 2009

WHAT: A blessing and open house to mark opening of new in-patient epilepsy monitoring unit

WHEN: 2 p.m., Monday, March 9

WHERE: Providence Portland Medical Center
4805 NE Glisan Street

DETAILS: Providence Portland Medical Center is holding a blessing and community open house for a new epilepsy monitoring unit. The unit will allow physicians to diagnose unexplained seizures quickly and accurately. Patients who experience uncontrolled seizures – or have symptoms that could indicate seizures – check into the unit for several days. They will be monitored using a combination of video and electroencephalogram , or EEG. An epileptologist, who is an expert in epilepsy and seizures, will interpret the data from the recording. The monitoring system allows experts to determine quickly whether the patient’s events are truly seizures, and if so, which part of the brain is causing them. Once the cause is determined, doctors can create a treatment plan, which may include surgery and/or medications.