NCEPOD: Disordered Activity? A review of the quality of epilepsy care provided to adult patients presenting to hospital with a seizure (8 December 2022)

Summary

This report published by the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) assesses the quality of care provided to adult patients with a pre-existing epilepsy disorder, or who were subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy and presented to hospital following a seizure, between 1 January and 31 December 2020.

Content

Key findings

• It was identified that action could be taken at all points of the patient pathway to improve the quality of care, with a particular call to alert patients’ ‘usual’ epilepsy team when they present with a seizure.
• There is a need to improve documentation as, for example, 26.1% patients did not have their anti-seizure medication (ASM) written in their notes.
• In 38.5% hospitals, specific information or education regarding epilepsy was not routinely provided to patients until their first clinic appointment, which may be many weeks after discharge.