With the addition of specialty equipment, D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital is now offering EEG (electroencephalogram) — a diagnostic test that measures and records electrical activity of the brain.
Lillian Heller, director of cardiopulmonary services, said the new equipment will aid with diagnostic testing at D.W. McMillan.
“The EEG is a very important and useful tool in diagnosing any brain-related conditions such as seizures, dementia, narcolepsy or nervous system problems,” Heller said. “It is also used to evaluate abnormal changes in body chemistry that affect the brain, brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, or conditions such as confusion, head injuries, infections and tumors.”
Brain cells communicate with each other by producing tiny electrical impulses.
During an EEG, the EEG technician attaches special sensors to the patient’s head that are also hooked by wires to a computer.
The computer records the brain’s electrical activity on the screen or on paper as wavy lines. Certain conditions, such as seizures, can be seen by the changes in the normal pattern of the brain’s electrical activity.
Heller said an EEG is also used to investigate periods of unconsciousness, monitor the brain during surgery, or, in the in the case of someone who is in a deep coma, it can be helpful when trying to decide if someone is brain dead.
Chris Griffin, hospital administrator, said the addition of the equipment will better allow for diagnostic services locally.
“We are very pleased to be able to add this important diagnostic service,” Griffin said. “As a community hospital, our mission is to make quality healthcare available locally. Our physicians and hospital staff are committed to this mission as well, so our job, as a hospital, is to give them the tools they need to provide the very best care possible to our patients.”
D.W. McMillan Hospital is located on Belleville Avenue.