PHOENIX (Oct. 30, 2024) – An innovative device powered by artificial intelligence is helping doctors and medical staff at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix provide better care for critically ill neurological patients.
The hospital recently started using the Ceribell System, an FDA-cleared electroencephalography (EEG) tool that monitors and detects non-convulsive seizures. Up to 92% of seizures in acute care settings are non-convulsive, with minimal or no observable evidence, often making diagnosis challenging.
The portable device consists of a headset that is placed on a patient and connected to a recorder which provides continuous monitoring for status epilepticus, or a seizure lasting longer than five minutes. This serious medical emergency can lead to severe, permanent brain damage and potentially death. The device can be easily applied to a patient in minutes and is typically used for about two hours on patients who are in an altered mental state and at risk of suffering from seizures.
Because time is critical when it comes to diagnosing and treating these types of patients, the Ceribell device plays a crucial role in mitigating several factors for bedside providers. It alerts when a patient is actively seizing and allows physicians to make faster and more informed clinical decisions, resulting in better overall outcomes.
Another important aspect of the device is its ability to help providers accurately rule out seizures in a patient. This can prevent over-treatment of patients who may not need interventions such as intubation and increased medication, both of which may increase length of stay.
The Ceribell System is not meant to replace conventional EEG monitoring; it is a complementary tool that enables expanded EEG coverage throughout the hospital. While traditional EEG machines require trained technologists and are often a limited resource that take more time to set up, Ceribell helps care teams be more efficient, resulting in higher quality of care and ultimately reducing time in the hospital.
“The Ceribell System has proven to be a game changer for how we assess and treat critically ill neurological patients at the bedside,” said Dr. Khalid Alsherbini, a neurologist at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “The amount of time and resources this device is helping us save is critical and allows us to form the best possible care plan. We’re thrilled to be utilizing Ceribell and look forward to seeing how it will continue to have a positive impact on both patients and our clinical efficiency.”
About Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix
Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is a large teaching hospital that has provided medical care to Arizona and the Southwest since 1911. It is part of Banner – University Medicine, a premier academic medical network. The institution, which has trained thousands of doctors over decades as a teaching hospital, is the academic medical center for The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix. The hospital, recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation’s best hospitals, specializes in heart care, cancer care, high-risk obstetrics, neurosciences, organ transplants, medical toxicology and emergency care, including a Level I trauma center. Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix is part of Banner Health, a nonprofit health care system with 33 hospitals in six states. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/universityphoenix.
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