- Head CTs, MRIs are most-used but not most-effective tool for head trauma or neurological issues in triage
- EEG changed clinical management of 76.2% of patients, even when CT or MRI was available
- Brain Scientific has overcome key barriers causing EEG underuse in emergency medicine
Brain Scientific (OTCQB: BRSF), a commercial-stage, health-care company, is making EEGs accessible in emergency departments (“ED”) with cutting-edge tech that bridges the widening gap in access to quality care. As the public becomes more aware of head trauma’s long-term effects, triages fill up with potential TBIs and acute neurological conditions. Facilities are scrambling to adapt to the growing need but are often ill equipped to do so.
When a patient arrives presenting head trauma or neurological issues, almost reflexively, a head CT and/or MRI is ordered. A BRSF white paper titled “Electroencephalography in the Emergency Department” explains why this is not always the most effective diagnostic tool (https://nnw.fm/7I068).
The report notes that head CT is not always the optimal scan for all acute neurological conditions; however, due to its availability, it is overused. Around 70 million CT examinations are performed in EDs annually in the United States (https://nnw.fm/oQnlG). While these are ideal for brain hemorrhage, skull fractures, malignancy and a handful of other conditions, they have been found ineffective at identifying mild traumatic brain injury (“mTBI”) and nontraumatic causes of neurologic dysfunction such as syncope, delirium, and vertigo. The MRI provides higher resolution images and greater detail of the brain than the CT but is limited as a primary diagnostic tool in the ED.
According to the CDC, an estimated 2.5 million TBI-related visits are made to the ED in the U.S. a year (https://nnw.fm/KHUwH). Part of the increase is due to the public’s growing knowledge of TBI effects. Neither the head CT or MRI are equipped to diagnose mTBI adequately. The best indicator is an EEG, which can determine the severity of the injury.
Delirium is also often seen in the ED and can affect up to one-half of older patients in hospitals. However, experiencing delirium in a hospital setting does not mean a patient has Alzheimer’s or another dementia diagnosis. Dementia is chronic, while delirium is usually reversible. Determining what the patient is experiencing is essential in creating a successful care plan. An EEG can make this distinction.
The American Academy of Neurology published a study on routine EEGs in emergency room and inpatient services. It was found that the use of the EEG changed the clinical management of 76.2% of patients, even when a normal CT or MRI was available (https://nnw.fm/ZQ4Fr).
Beyond TBIs and dementia, EEGs are also used to diagnose epilepsy and other acute neurological conditions that CTs and MRIs are simply not designed to find.
So why are EEGs not used more often?
The size of traditional EEG systems, lack of portability and inadequate numbers of trained EEG personnel are key factors contributing to the underuse of the EEG in emergency medicine. Utilizing equipment that takes hours is not feasible in a triage situation. Brain Scientific has overcome these barriers with two separate devices: the NeuroCap(TM) and NeuroEEG(TM). Low cost, portable, small, wireless, and easy to set up, these devices make it possible for EEGs to be utilized in emergency departments across the country.
To learn more about this company, visit www.BrainScientific.com/Invest-Now.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BRSF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://nnw.fm/BRSF
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