Epileptic seizures are a common reason for 911 calls and emergency room visits. The study combined information from emergency services, hospital emergency departments, and hospital treatments in the capital region and nearby municipalities for suspected epilepsy attacks in people over 16 years of age. A unique body of information has been collected over the course of four years from the first aid services and information systems of HUS and the City of Helsinki.
During the study period, there were more than 14,000 emergency calls related to epilepsy attacks, which is 3.3% of all emergency calls. Emergency center employees and paramedics observed seizure symptoms in three out of four cases.
The study found that the burden of epileptic seizures was highest in emergency services, with 333 cases per 100,000 population. However, in almost 40 percent of the cases, the patients did not need transport to the hospital or refused it themselves.
Despite this, there were more than 11,000 visits to hospital emergency rooms related to epilepsy. Calculated in terms of population, the burden of hospital emergency departments was lower than the emergency service, 266 visits per 100,000 inhabitants. In addition, the burden of patients requiring hospital care was reduced to less than a third of emergency services, 107 hospitalizations per 100,000 inhabitants.
Almost two-thirds of the patients with epileptic seizures were men, with an average age of about 50 years.
Less than 8% of hospitalized patients needed intensive care. The health care chain incurred an annual cost of 6.8 million euros, which corresponds to 0.5% of the costs of special care in the research area.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Leena Kรคmppi, neurologist at HUS Neurocenter, stated that the findings emphasize the need for more information on the recognition of epileptic seizures. He emphasized the right direction of healthcare resources and the provision of urgent care to patients who need it. In addition, it is important to identify patients who do not need treatment but have a typical epileptic seizure.
In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the burden of epileptic seizures for emergency services and hospital emergency departments. With proper identification and triage, healthcare resources can be directed to patients in need of urgent care and at the same time reduce the burden on emergency services and hospital emergency departments.
HT
Source: The Nordic Page