Evaluating the single seizure clinic model: Findings from a Canadian Center.

Introduction: The effect of the single seizure clinic (SSC) model on patient diagnose, work-up, wait-times, and clinical care is poorly characterized and its efficacy unclear. The present study assesses patient characteristics and evaluates the impact of a single seizure clinic (SSC) model on wait-times and access to care.
Material and Methods: A prospective study of all patients (n=200) referred to our SSC for first seizure evaluation. Demographic, clinical, and paraclinicial variables were systematically collected and analyzed against a historical cohort. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to predict impact of dichotomized variables on diagnosis of epilepsy. Diagnostic concordance between SSC nurses and epileptologists was also assessed.
Results: Predominant referral sources were emergency department physicians and general practitioners. Mean wait-time for first assessment was significantly reduced by 70.5% employing the SSC model versus historical usual care. A diagnosis was established at first-contact in 80.5% of cases while 16.0% of patients required a second visit. Eighty-two patients (41.0%) were diagnosed with epilepsy. An abnormal EEG was found in 93.9% of patients diagnosed with epilepsy. Sixty-three patients were started on anti-epileptic drugs (63.5% lamotrigine, 7.0% levetiracetam, 5.0% phenytoin, and 5.0% topiramate). In 18% of cases driving restrictions were initiated by the SSC. The most common non-seizure diagnosis was syncope (24.0%).
Discussion: The SSC reduced wait-times for assessment and investigations, clarified diagnoses, affected management decisions with respect to further workup, pharmacotherapy, and driving. There was moderate correlation between SSC nurses and physicians (kappa=0.54; p<0.001) as physicians were significantly more likely to diagnose epilepsy. Key factors identified as predictors of epilepsy were: presence of abnormalities on electroencephalography and imaging studies, patients stratified as high or medium-risk for seizure recurrence, semiological characteristics such as amnesia and limb stiffening, and presence of tongue trauma, or incontinence.
Conclusions: The SSC model reduces wait-times, streamlines assessments, and impacts clinical care decisions.
(Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)