FORT SMITH, Ark. – Baptist Health-Fort Smith recently opened an inpatient Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) for patients who experience recurring, unprovoked seizures.
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder and affects people of all ages. These seizures can affect one’s safety and quality of life.
The EMU at Baptist Health-Fort Smith is a specialized unit featuring state-of-the-art, computer-based monitoring equipment that allows our technicians and physician to evaluate, diagnose and treat seizures or recurrent neurological spells.
Neurological exams, blood tests and imaging tests such as an electroencephalogram (EEG), computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to diagnose epilepsy. Continuously monitoring a patient’s brain activity is also key to a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
During their stay, a patient is monitored 24 hours a day for three to five days. Continuous video-EEG monitoring technology gathers data before the seizure starts, while one is occurring and during the brain’s recovery.
The program is overseen by Dr. Mohammad Owais, an epileptologist, of Baptist Health Neuroscience Center-Fort Smith. Dr. Owais is board certified in epilepsy, neurology and psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
“Epilepsy is a common disorder that can negatively impact a person’s daily life, so it’s important to properly diagnose the disease and offer the appropriate treatment,” Dr. Owais said. “With the addition of this new service, we are able to provide patients in this region a higher level of evaluation and care.”
If you think you may be a candidate for epilepsy monitoring, speak to your primary care provider about a referral or call (479) 441-5475.
For nearly 100 years, Baptist Health has delivered all our best in health care through Christian compassion and innovative services. Baptist Health is Arkansas’ most comprehensive health care organization with more than 250 points of access that include 11 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; a graduate residency program; and access to virtual care anytime, anywhere. It is also the largest private not-for-profit health care organization based in Arkansas, providing care through the support of approximately 11,000 employees, groundbreaking treatments, renowned physicians and community outreach programs. For more information about Baptist Health, visit baptist-health.com, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or download the myBaptistHealth app. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.