Webinar Series on Epilepsy for Neuroscience Nurses
Epilepsy News From: Tuesday, June 04, 2019
Originally published June 4, 2019
The following series of webinars was developed to increase understanding among neuroscience nurses about epilepsy, seizure emergencies, comorbidities, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The webinars were developed in collaboration between the Epilepsy Foundation’s National Epilepsy Education and Awareness Collaborative (NEEAC) and the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN).
Important: About Continuing Education Credits
Click each link below, then sign in and complete these webinars on AANN's website to receive continuing education credits.
- "Basics of Seizures and Epilepsy"
- "Enhancing Recognition and Treatment of Seizure Clusters and Emergencies"
- "Comorbidities in Epilepsy: Focus on Mood and Behavior"
- "Early Death in Epilepsy: Focus on SUDEP"
For more information about continuing education credits, please contact AANN.
Past Sessions
Basics of Seizures and Epilepsy - Recorded June 6, 2019
Sign in and complete the "Basics of Seizures and Epilepsy" webinar here on AANN's website to receive continuing education credits.
Speakers
- Madona Plueger MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, FAES, Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Barrow Neurological Institute
- Erin Fecske DNP, APRN, CNRN, CPNP-PC, Epilepsy Nurse Practitioner, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics
Description
A better understanding of seizures and epilepsy will allow nurses to educate people with epilepsy and their families on the importance of care by a neurologist.
Many people, including some medical professionals, do not know what to do when a person has a seizure. This can lead to adverse outcomes and inappropriate treatment. Referrals to neurology and epilepsy care are sporadic and knowledge gaps exist among most health care professionals about when, where and how to refer. Although published quality indicators exist, key aspects of quality care in epilepsy are not implemented consistently.
Neuroscience nurses can positively impact the lives of your patients by increasing your knowledge of epilepsy. This webinar will provide participants with an overview of epilepsy and aims to
- Identify common seizure types for different age groups based on the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classifications
- Describe care principles for use of anti-seizure medicines in children and adults with epilepsy
- Implement strategies for early identification of children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy
Enhancing Recognition and Treatment of Seizure Clusters and Emergencies - Recorded August 8, 2019
Sign in and complete the "Enhancing Recognition and Treatment of Seizure Clusters and Emergencies" webinar here on AANN's website to receive continuing education credits.
Speakers
- Madona Plueger MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CNRN, FAES, Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center Barrow Neurological Institute
- Erin Fecske DNP, APRN, CNRN, CPNP-PC, Epilepsy Nurse Practitioner, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics
- Stephanie Chen MSN, MPH, CNRN, FNP-C, Epilepsy Nurse Practitioner, Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
Description
Seizure emergencies are a negative result of epilepsy. Taking appropriate action and giving medication are vital to the person’s recovery.
Although published guidelines exist, key aspects of quality care in epilepsy are not implemented consistently. Education that provides a systematic approach to the recognition and treatment of status epilepticus can aid in preventing morbidity and mortality.
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of recognition and treatment of seizure clusters and emergencies and aims to
- Describe status epilepticus, cluster seizures, and other potential seizure emergencies
- Review seizure medications recommended for treating convulsive status epilepticus and emerging therapies for cluster seizures
- Identify ways to implement seizure response plans during the care of people with epilepsy
Comorbidities in Epilepsy: Focus on Mood and Behavior - Recorded October 3, 2019
Sign in and complete the "Comorbidities in Epilepsy: Focus on Mood and Behavior" webinar here on AANN's website to receive continuing education credits.
Speakers
- Elaine Kiriakopoulos MD, MSc, Director, Health Communications and Engagement, Epilepsy Foundation, and Research Associate, Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
- Mimi Callanan RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, Epilepsy Clinical Nurse Specialist, Stanford Comprehensive Epilepsy Center/Stanford Health Care
Description
Many people do not know how to screen for comorbidities in children or adults with epilepsy. Additionally, treatment of comorbidities may be complicated by delays in diagnosis and impact of the comorbidity on seizures or treatment approaches.
Referrals to mental health resources and other experts are lacking or sporadic, and knowledge gaps exist among most health care professionals about when to refer. Since nurses may encounter people with seizures in any setting, providing up-to-date information on diagnosis, treatment and self-management may help improve access to epilepsy care.
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of comorbidities in epilepsy and aims to
- Describe three comorbidities that affect mood and behavior in children with epilepsy
- Identify two ways that emotional health conditions may impact the treatment of seizures in an adult epilepsy
- Describe approaches for referring people with epilepsy to community agencies and epilepsy professionals for managing and supporting emotional health comorbidities
Early Death in Epilepsy: Focus on SUDEP - Recorded November 14, 2019
Sign in and complete this webinar here on AANN's website to receive continuing education credits.
Speakers
- Patty Osborne Shafer RN, MN, Senior Director Health Information and Resources, Associate Editor, epilepsy.com, Epilepsy Foundation
- Orrin Devinsky MD, professor of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine, and editor emeritus of epilepsy.com
- Tom Stanton, Executive Director, Danny Did Foundation
Description
Each year more than 1 in 1,000 people will die from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). People who have uncontrolled seizures and nocturnal seizures are at increased risk for SUDEP. Recent data about early death in epilepsy highlight the critical need to counsel people with epilepsy and families about SUDEP early and enable individuals and families to implement the best possible safety strategies to decrease the risk of SUDEP.
This webinar will provide participants with an overview of SUDEP and aims to
- Identify risks for early death and SUDEP in youth and adults with epilepsy
- Review strategies to enhance safety during seizures and lessen risks of early death in people with epilepsy
- Describe approaches and resources to enhance patient and provider communication about SUDEP
Authored by
National Epilepsy Education and Awareness Collaborative
Reviewed by
Epilepsy Foundation Communications
Reviewed Date
Thursday, January 23, 2020