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16 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | June 6, 2022 Saint Francis Hospital Brings Innovative Neurological Care to Greater Hartford SPONSORED CONTENT S cientists say the human brain is the most complex structure we have discovered in the known universe. Doctors are constantly working on understanding our brains to better care for our bodies, making neurological care one of the most cutting- edge medical practices in the field. At Saint Francis Hospital, there have been tremendous advances in the neurology department in recent decades, accelerating rapidly in just the past two years. In a conversation with Veeresh Kumar, M.D., Section Chief of Neurology, Medical Director of the Epilepsy Center and Clinical Neurophysiology Lab, we discuss what's been done, and what's still to come. Q: The Neurology Department at Trinity Health Of New England has undergone significant growth. What does this mean for patients at Saint Francis Hospital? A: We have been able to launch several new programs at Saint Francis, including a comprehensive stroke and neuro-interventional program, Epilepsy program, multidisciplinary headache clinic, pain neurology clinic, neuromuscular clinic, and our recently opened state of the art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). Saint Francis has been re-certified by the Joint Commission as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, which recognizes our commitment to continuous quality improvement in patient safety and care. Our headache clinics provide comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatment approaches for headache and facial pain disorders. This is a valuable service for patients as more than one-third of our neurology clinic patients have some sort of headache complaint. Headaches can be really debilitating, impeding a person from going to work and interrupting their day-to-day functioning. We treat more than 10 types, including migraines, tension, cluster, post- traumatic headaches etc., and provide medications and the latest treatments like Botox, nerve blocks, and other interventions. Our Pain Neurology Clinic aims to integrate the diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from chronic pain conditions such as low back pain, sciatica, neck pain, and others. Finally, our neuromuscular clinic at Saint Francis specializes in the diagnosis and management of nerve and muscle disorders. To do all of this, we've increased our number of highly specialized neurology providers, providing a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to treatment. Q: What does the Epilepsy Center provide for patients at Saint Francis? A: Epilepsy is a condition in which people have recurrent seizures, which are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. As of 2015, it was estimated that 1.2% of the U.S. population, and 36,000 people in Connecticut had active epilepsy. There are various types of seizures, and the correct diagnosis is crucial for treatment. The Epilepsy Clinic at Saint Francis is designed to provide comprehensive care to those with epilepsy or other types of seizures, passing out spells, or unresponsive episodes. Patients may not suffer from traditional seizures, so it's important to get that correct diagnosis with comprehensive monitoring followed up by therapeutic management. Q: Part of the comprehensive epilepsy treatment Saint Francis Hospital provides is the recently opened Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). What is an EMU? A: This is a very unique inpatient unit. It is a state- of-the-art center providing a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of patients with epilepsy and seizures. The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) is designed to evaluate, diagnose, and treat seizures, using continuous video electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring technology. Admission to our EMU allows our neurologists to change medication in a safer environment, as opposed to adjusting or switching seizure medications at home. The inpatient EMU is an elective admission; the length of stay depends on what tests reveal and the frequency of seizures. Typically, patients stay for 3-5 days, with the goal to capture a seizure while the patient is on the EEG to figure out where it's coming from. Already, the EMU has helped many patients achieve seizure control, and in some instances, patients who had been on unnecessary medications for decades have been able to stop them safely. For others, the EMU has helped target which medication works better for the individual and has improved their quality of life overall. Our goal is to have patients become seizure- free so they can go back to driving, jobs, and everyday life without being dependent on others. We are very proud to have launched this unit and to be able to offer this unique service to our patients. So far, our patients have been thrilled with the outcomes. To learn more visit TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Neurology Veeresh Kumar, M.D., Section Chief of Neurology, Medical Director of the Epilepsy Center and Clinical Neurophysiology Lab Trinity Health Of New England