Abstracts

RATIONALE: Video-EEG Monitoring can be an anxiety provoking experience for patients. We hypothesized that providing educational information prior to admission would help allay anxieties of patients and their families. METHODS: A monthly orientation class was initiated by the Clinical Nurse Specialist of the Epilepsy Program. We developed a questionnaire covering issues including reason for admission, knowledge of the admission and epilepsy, communication prior and during the admission and patients satisfaction. The survey was mailed out to all patients who attended the orientation class for the last six months (GroupI) and patients admitted to the epilepsy unit without attending the class, (GroupII). RESULTS: Patients who attended the class scored higher in areas of knowledge, communication, level of comfort and satisfaction with their care. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to safety, satisfaction with the hospital environment and discharge plan. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in an orientation class prior to the hospital admission for video-EEG monitoring, leads to an increased knowledge base, better perception of communication, higher patient satisfaction and better doctor/nurse patient relationship. The class also provided an environment for social support for epilepsy patients.