Focused on providing the best possible care for persons with seizures, the University of Texas Medical Branch Epilepsy Program has received accreditation by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 Epilepsy Center.
The designation is the highest level of accreditation offered by the NAEC.
“Level 4 epilepsy centers have the professional expertise and facilities to provide the highest level medical and surgical evaluation and treatment for patients with complex epilepsy,” according to the NAEC.
“Our recent Level 4 accreditation not only recognizes what we have accomplished in terms of diagnosing and treating seizure disorders, but it also certifies that we are an elite and top-tier institution in this realm,” said Dr. Todd Masel, associate professor of neurology, vice chair for clinical affairs and UTMB Epilepsy Program director.
“Level 4 accreditation recognizes that we provide high-quality access to the full spectrum of modern medical and surgical treatments for epilepsy,” said Dr. Patrick Karas, assistant professor of neurosurgery and an epilepsy neurosurgeon at UTMB.
Since the creation of UTMB’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in 2013, and with the subsequent and continued growth of the team through recruitment of highly talented experts, the UTMB Epilepsy Program has provided excellent service and care in terms of diagnosing seizure disorders and determining and implementing the best treatment for patients.
This is accomplished through a multistep process that often starts with a clinic visit with a UTMB epileptologist, typically followed by diagnostic testing such as electroencephalography in UTMB’s EEG lab or via admission to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit and then medical and/or surgical treatment based on the results of the testing. Treatment is tailored to the needs and goals of the patient and has improved the outcomes and quality of life of numerous patients over the years.
The NAEC recommends when patients should be referred to a level 4 center like UTMB: “If you are seeing a general neurologist, and your seizures have not been brought under control after 12 months, you should request a referral to a specialized epilepsy center with an epileptologist.”
“We look forward to continuing to provide excellent care to patients with seizures disorders as we move into the future,” Masel said. “Our mission is to make sure that every person with seizures receives the best care possible.”