Quality Measures in the Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic with Focus on Seizure Frequency, Reproductive and Surgical Counselling Documentation
Abstract number :
1.355
Submission category :
4. Clinical Epilepsy / 4E. Women's Issues
Year :
2024
Submission ID :
1335
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2024 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Authors :
Presenting Author: Patricia Bacus, MD – University of Kentucky
Meriem K. Bensalem-Owen, MD, FACNS, FANA – University of Kentucky
Rationale: The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) created standardized quality measures for clinicians, practices, and systems with the goal to improve the delivery of care for people with epilepsy. Effective management involves accurate seizure frequency and timing documentation and surgical referrals for treatment-resistant cases. Reproductive health is particularly crucial for women of childbearing age and potential (12 years and older). Counselling about the need for folic acid supplementation, drug-to-drug interactions with contraception and potential anti-seizure medications effects on fetal and child development as well as pregnancy is an essential component of care.
Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was conducted for epilepsy patients attending a specialized pediatric neurology clinic over a one-month period. Documentation of seizure frequency, last seizure, surgical referral when indicated, and counselling about birth control and folic acid were assessed.
Results: The electronic medical records review during the month of April 2024 identified 101 patients seen either for first-time consultation, follow-up in person or telehealth. Of the patients seen in clinic 21% of patients had no seizure frequency documented from their prior visit, and 27% had no last seizure documented. Looking at the reproductive health counselling for female patients between the ages of 12-30 demonstrated that only 14% of patients had oral contraceptive documentation and 26% had folic acid documentation. Of the 101 patients, two patients had epilepsy surgery (a VNS placement and a temporal lobectomy) and only two patients of 20 drug resistant patients were referred to surgery.
Conclusions: Our study highlights gaps in documentation and counselling in the pediatric epilepsy clinic. Addressing the gaps in seizure frequency documentation, surgical referrals and reproductive health counselling are crucial for enhancing management and patient-caregiver education, informed decision-making, and overall quality care. Standardized documentation practices and the use of a template in epilepsy care may ensure that clinicians are systematically addressing and documenting the AAN epilepsy quality measures.
Funding: none
Clinical Epilepsy