What To Do When Seizures Won’t Stop

James J. Riviello, Jr., MD
Director, Epilepsy Program
Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology
Critical Care Neurology Service
Children’s Hospital Boston
Professor of Neurology,
Harvard Medical School

Joseph R. Madsen, MD
Associate in Neurosurgery,
Children’s Hospital Boston
Associate Professor,
Harvard Medical School

Expiration Date: October 2, 2007

Program Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this program, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the definition, epidemiology, and classification of epilepsy
• Describe a scoring system for predicting prognosis at time of first seizure
• Discuss the overall efficacy of medical therapy, the ketogenic diet, and surgery in the treatment of epilepsy

This program is intended for:
Primary Care Physicians, Pediatricians, Pediatric Specialists, Pediatric Sub-specialists, Pediatric Nurses, Pediatric Pharmacists

Purpose Statement

Guidelines have been established for the treatment of pediatric generalized convulsive status epilepticus. The use of some treatments for pediatric status epilepticus are supported by randomized, double-blind studies in adults and nonrandomized studies in children, while other treatments are supported only by anecdotal evidence. There are also treatment recommendations for refractory pediatric status epilepticus. Because of the frequency with which this condition is seen in the pediatric population and the need to individualize therapy, physicians should be familiar with both the guidelines for treatment and the scientific evidence supporting the use of all anti-epileptic medication for the treatment of status epilepticus in children.

Materials and Resources

• Online Course
• Program Flyer
• Coordinator Kit
• Request an Appointment with a Children’s Hospital Boston Specialist

Accreditation Statement:

MESG is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Nursing and pharmacy accreditation made possible through the cosponsorship of Medical Education Collaborative and MESG.

Credit Designation

Physicians
MESG designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses
Approved for 1.2 contact hours of continuing education for RNs, LPNs, LVNs, and NPs. This program is cosponsored with Medical Education Collaborative, Inc. (MEC) and Medical Education Solutions Group.  MEC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.  Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 12990, for 1.2 contact hours.

Nurse Practitioners
MESG is accredited by ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians, and will provide nurse practitioners who successfully complete the activity with a Statement of Participation indicating that the activity was designated for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Physician Assistants
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts  AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for the PRA from organizations accredited by ACCME. MESG is accredited by ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians, and will provide physician assistants who successfully complete the activity with a Statement of Participation indicating that the activity was designated for 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.

For questions about the accreditation of this program, please contact Medical Education Solutions Group at (443) 543-5224, e-mail info@mesg.org, or Medical Education Collaborative at (303) 420-3252, e-mail inquire@meccme.org.

System Requirements

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows® 98, NT, 2000, XP, ME

Browser/PDF Viewer
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or 6.0
Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® or Adobe Reader

Media Player
Windows Media® Player 7.1 or higher, OR
RealPlayer® Basic 8 or higher

Downloads/Upgrades
Microsoft Internet Explorer
Windows Media Player
RealPlayer
Adobe Reader

Connection Type
High bandwidth (300k) is strongly recommended
Low bandwidth (100k) results in less than optimal quality
56k dial-up/modem is not sufficient
The Frequently Asked Questions link (Getting Started section) provides additional information.

How to Receive CME/CE Credit

In order to receive credit, participants must score at least 70% on the post-test and submit it along with the evaluation form to the address/fax number provided. Allow four to six weeks from receipt of post-test for delivery of certificate.

Disclaimer

As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), Medical Education Solutions Group requires written, signed disclosure of the existence of relevant financial interests or relationships with commercial interest within the last 12 months from any individual in a position to control the content of a CME activity sponsored by MESG.  Individuals who refuse to disclose relevant financial relationships will be disqualified from all aspects of this CME activity.

Faculty Disclosure
The presentation(s) for this program has/have been peer reviewed and has/have been approved for compliance. The faculty has/have indicated the following financial relationship(s) that has/have been resolved through an established COI resolution process and has/have stated that these reported relationships will not have any impact on their ability to present an unbiased presentation. 

James J. Riviello Jr., MD
Salary: Neurology Review Course

Joseph R. Madsen, MD
Fees received for promotional/non-CME activities: Cyberonics

MESG Disclosure
The employees of Medical Education Solutions Group have no financial relationships to disclose.

MEC Disclosure
The employees of Medical Education Collaborative have no financial relationships to disclose.

Acknowledgement of Commercial Support
This educational series is supported through an educational grant from Amgen, Cephalon, and Nutricia.