COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Epilepsy is the third leading neurological disorder in the nation. It sits right behind Alzheimer's and stroke. This year, doctors will diagnose more than 200,000 people -- and many in Central Ohio will come to The Ohio State University Medical Center's Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.
It was in the old five-bed unit where Amy Dettrick was treated for her epilepsy. She's been living with the condition since 1993.
A few years later, Dettrick's seizures uncontrolled with medication, she became a surgical candidate.
"It was at that point to locate very specifically where my seizures were originating so that they would know what the goal of my surgery was," explained Dettrick.
The OSU Medical Center unveiled its new, state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Tuesday.
The eight-bed unit is 16 years in the making. The hallmark of the project could be a room that is manned 24 hours a day by technicians who monitor patients by camera and by computer.
"These techs are highly trained and they can recognize a seizure. They recognize when to call, when someone needs help and we still have somebody else who is here to watch the other patients," said Dr. Layne Moore, who was hired in 1994 to establish the level 4 EMU.
Patients, staff and doctors all contributed to the design of the EMU.
Now, patients no longer are restricted to their rooms. A day room allows them to interact with other patients while watching television or surfing the web.
"Being up doing things ... creates a more normal condition. Most of their lives are lived in normal conditions where they are interacting with other people. This is important to isolate where the seizures are coming from and how to get them under control," explained Dr. Moore.
Dettrick said she likes the new unit. She say it's a step up from the old rooms where she felt trapped and isolated.
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