May 2, 2013

Epilepsy Program receives key quality recognition

The Vanderbilt Epilepsy Program has maintained its designation as a Level 4 center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) for the ninth consecutive year.

The program has received the designation since it was implemented in 2005.

According to NAEC, Level 4 centers have the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest-level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy.

“It is gratifying to again be recognized at the highest level,” said Bassel Abou-Khalil, M.D., professor of Neurology. “This designation is a recognition of the quality care we offer epilepsy patients every day. Our staff understand how to work together and use our considerable resources to provide patients thoughtful evaluations and personalized treatment.”

Vanderbilt’s Epilepsy Program includes adult and pediatric epilepsy clinics, adult and pediatric EEG laboratories, an eight-bed adult monitoring unit and a four-bed pediatric monitoring unit, making it the largest in Tennessee.

The program is active with pre-surgical evaluation and epilepsy surgery for children and adults and is also involved with both basic science and clinical investigations, including drug trials, genetics and fMRI imaging.

Vanderbilt and LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center are the only epilepsy centers in Tennessee with NAEC recognition.