InTouch with Southern Kentucky August 2020 | Page 36

UK HEALTH CARE
UK MEDIA
Dr. Meriem K.
Bensalem-Owen,
Professor of
Neurology and
Director of UK
HealthCare’s
Epilepsy Program.
How to Navigate Epilepsy Care
Despite the development
of several new anti-seizure
medications or antiepileptic drugs
over the past couple of decades,
approximately 30 to 40% of epilepsy
patients remain refractory – or
resistant to medical treatment. In
addition to the burden of having
seizures, mortality in epilepsy is
a major public health concern. A
recent study found a clear benefit of
the care provided by a neurologist
specializing in epilepsy, also
referred to as an epileptologist, in
relation to mortality outcomes.
What are the different levels of
epilepsy care?
The National Association of
Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) has
defined 4 levels of care and
accredits epilepsy centers through
a rigorous process.
• Level 1 epilepsy care
typically occurs at an emergency
room or a primary care physician’s
office.
• Level 2 epilepsy care
involves a consultation with a
general neurologist.
• Levels 3 and 4 care takes
place at specialized epilepsy
centers. Level 4 centers provide the
more complex forms of epilepsy
evaluation and a wide range of
surgical procedures.
When is time to ask for a second
opinion when it comes to treatment
for epilepsy?
In an effort to improve the quality
of care delivered to epilepsy
patients with an ultimate focus on
improving outcomes, the American
Academy of Neurology (AAN)
developed quality measures, also
known as metrics.
36 • In Touch with Southern Kentucky AUGUST 2020