Orlando Health doubles epilepsy monitoring unit capacity within hospital system

The Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute and Orlando Health – Health Central Hospital are partnering to increase the number of epilepsy monitoring unit beds available for patients in Central Florida.

The addition features four beds available at the new EMU site at Health Central Hospital. Previously, there were only four beds in the EMU at the Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center.

According to the Florida Department of Health, more than 340,000 adults statewide have been told by a doctor that they have a seizure disorder or epilepsy.

“This is a major step to provide our patients with epilepsy additional access to these highly sought after monitoring units,” Naoir Zaher, Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute epileptologist, said. “Utilizing the epilepsy monitoring unit allows us to track seizures in a safe environment and best determine the next steps for our patients.”

Patients in the epilepsy monitoring unit will stay at the hospital while their seizures are monitored and recorded 24/7. 

Neurodiagnostic technicians and nurses will utilize cameras and electroencephalogram technology to capture data on the patient’s brainwave activity. Adult patients are expected to stay at the hospital for three to five days during the monitoring period. 

“This is another example of our commitment to bring specialized health services to the West Orange community and create a regional health hub," Philip Koovakada, Orlando Health senior vice president and Health Central Hospital president said. “We anticipate serving 200 patients each year at the epilepsy monitoring unit, which will help reduce wait times for patients who need this data collected and analyzed.” 

Patients will be referred by an epileptologist before entering the monitoring unit. The Health Central Hospital site began accepting patients earlier this month. 

The Orlando Health Neuroscience Institute also houses a level four epilepsy center that provides additional complex forms of intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring, as well as more extensive medical, neuropsychological and psychosocial treatment.

Founded more than 100 years ago in Orlando, Orlando Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization with $9.6 billion of assets under management that serves the southeastern United States and Puerto Rico.

For more information on Orlando Health, click here.