Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

MUSC Shawn Jenkin Children’s Hospital (SJCH) Pediatric EMU has eight rooms equipped for video EEG recordings (VEEG).  VEEG recordings give epileptologist real-time data to study with continuous audio, visual, and brain function activity recording.   

Admission to the EMU

Your doctor has ordered an admission to the EMU for additional information to determine a treatment plan of care for:

  • Episodes that are concerning for seizure or epilepsy

or

  • Medication and/or therapy adjustments 

or

  • Presurgical evaluation for uncontrolled seizures

EMU admission scheduling

Our pediatric epilepsy care coordinator nurse will reach out to you within two weeks to schedule the admission. If you have not heard from anyone by then, please call the clinic or send a My Chart message to your doctor.  

Admissions are only on Mondays and Tuesdays, excluding major holidays. The next available admission date averages 5 to 6 weeks. 

The EMU admission is considered voluntary, and prior authorization from the medical insurance company is required. Most of the insurance companies require 4 weeks to process the prior authorization. 

Length of stay in the EMU

EMU admissions can range from 1 to 4 days. The goal is to record an episode like you see your child have at home. Please understand, this is not a guarantee as seizures are unpredictable.

Prepare for the stay in the EMU 

  • Arrangements will need to be made for a parent or adult guardian of the child to remain present in the room for the duration of the admission. Anyone under the age of 18 and is not the parent of the child are not allowed to stay overnight.
  • Wash and dry your child’s hair the morning of the admission.  Do not use conditions, hairsprays, mouse, or oil-based products on your child’s hair.
  • Please remove hair weaves, braids and extensions prior to admission.
  • Your child’s top will not be able to be pulled over their head once the electrodes are placed.  It is recommended to bring tops to wear that button or zip up.  Hospital gowns are available if needed.
  • Bring along laptops, books, toys, videos, crossword puzzles, cards and board games and schoolwork. Our rooms have wi-fi and cable television.  For your child’s safety, your child will not be able to go to the atrium to play.  Child Life Specialists will be involved in your child’s stay to provide fun activities.
  • Please bring all prescribed medications to include medications from compounding pharmacies. The nurse can store any refrigerated medications on the unit for you.
  • If you have one, please bring your child’s seizure diary. 

Please inform the care coordinator nurse in advance anything you feel is significant for staff to know about your child such as behaviors that may affect your child’s stay or any dietary restrictions  

Meals

Meals are provided for both the child and one caregiver. Ask a care team member for the phone number.

Day of admission

Admit Transfer Center (ATC) will call you the morning of the admission to update you on the arrival time.  ATC is waiting for beds to be available to give an arrival time.  Please to do not check in prior to ATC confirming you have a room.  Average admission times are between 2 pm and 4 pm.  

If you have not received a phone call by 9:30 AM on the day of your child’s admission, please call the number provided by the epilepsy care coordinator nurse or the clinic. 

Parking garage

Address: McClennan Banks Parking Garage at 21 McClennan Banks Drive, Charleston, SC, 29425

  • Take elevator to the 2nd floor to enter SJCH.
  • Parking is $6.00 daily.

If you need assistance with parking, please let staff know.

Registration Desk

The registration desk located on the 1st floor of SJCH.  When registration is completed, you and your child will be directed to the child’s room in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit on the 9th floor.  

While in the EMU

Upon admission, electrodes are placed on your child’s scalp by an EEG technologist. Unlike the outpatient EEG, the electrodes will have to stay on longer and may need to be held on by a strong glue.  An epileptologist will read the recordings daily to discuss a plan of care.  The epileptologist will see your child either the first day or the next day during rounds. This doctor may not be the same doctor who saw your child in the clinic, but the doctor will communicate with the referring doctor. 

In addition to an epileptologist, the pediatric team and the neurology team will introduce themselves to you and your child and will also round separately each day for the duration of the admission.

Child Life Specialists will be involved during your child’s stay to provide fun activities.

Discharge from the EMU

Your child’s report may take a few days before it is ready. The report will be reviewed with you by your doctor at the follow-up appointment.