Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) Patient Information | Johns Hopkins Adult and Pediatric EMUs

Why It Matters

Accurate EMU monitoring accelerates diagnosis and treatment planning, reducing seizure burden and informing surgical decisions for both adults and children.

Key Takeaways

• Adult EMU on 12th floor, pediatric EMU on 10th floor.
• Six adult, four pediatric private rooms each with sleeper sofa.
• Continuous video, audio, and EEG monitoring captures seizures accurately.
• Multidisciplinary team reviews data daily and holds weekly conference.
• Discharge includes follow‑up appointment to assess treatment changes.

Summary

Johns Hopkins’ adult and pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Units (EMUs) are introduced by directors Dr. June Key and Dr. Sarah Kelly, outlining the purpose, layout, and patient experience. The adult EMU occupies the 12th‑floor east wing of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, while the pediatric unit resides on the 10th floor of the Charlotte R. Bloomberg Tower, each offering private rooms with sleeper sofas for overnight stays.

Both units employ continuous video, audio, and EEG recording to capture seizure events, pairing patient or caregiver narration with the data. Six adult and four pediatric rooms are staffed by neurologists, epilepsy fellows, residents, nurses, and technicians who review EEGs each morning and convene a multidisciplinary conference weekly to determine diagnoses, surgical options, or medication adjustments.

Dr. Key emphasizes the collaborative team—including neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, and technicians—while Dr. Kelly notes that parents must stay with pediatric patients. The weekly epilepsy conference integrates insights from multiple specialties to craft individualized treatment recommendations.

The structured monitoring and follow‑up protocol enables precise seizure characterization, informs surgical candidacy, and ensures safe medication changes, ultimately improving patient outcomes and guiding referring physicians on optimal epilepsy care.

Original Description

Epileptologists Joon Kang, director of the adult EMU and Sarah Kelley, director of the pediatric EMU at Johns Hopkins, share details about the units and their purpose, why patients are referred, and what happens after discharge. #EpilepsyMonitoringUnit #JohnsHopkins #Seizures