Ambulatory EEG

CONTINUOUS & INTERMITTENT AMBULATORY EEGs

Comprehensive Monitoring From the Comfort of Your Home

Our Ambulatory EEG services allow you to go about your daily life while we capture critical data about your brain’s activity over time.

What is an Ambulatory EEG and Why Does it Matter?

An EEG (Electroencephalogram) is a diagnostic test that
measures the electrical activity in your brain. This safe
and non-invasive procedure is used to detect and
monitor conditions such as epilepsy, seizures, sleep
disorders and other neurological issues. By analyzing
brainwave patterns, an EEG provides valuable insights
that help your healthcare provider make informed
decisions about your care.

The Right Test for Hard to Capture Symptoms

Ambulatory EEGs are designed for those moments and symptoms that don’t fit neatly into a quick office visit.

Seizures that are difficult to detect during routine visits

Sporadic neurological events that need long-term observation

Fainting or blackouts with no clear explanation

Want the convenience of having your test done at home without sacrificing the quality of care.

TWO WAYS TO MONITOR YOUR BRAIN ACTIVITY

Continuous vs Intermittent
EEG Monitoring

Intermittent EEG Monitoring

Comprehensive tracking with
scheduled check-ins

During Intermittent EEG Monitoring, your brain activity is continuously recorded for the entire duration of the study. However, instead of 24/7 monitoring, a technologist checks your brain activity every 60 minutes to review the data and ensure no abnormal activity has occurred. Intermittent EEG Monitoring is the most common, and ideal for patients who need long-term EEG monitoring but do not require constant real-time observation.

Continuous EEG Monitoring

(cEEG)Around the Clock Attention for High-Risk Patients

During Continuous EEG Monitoring, there is a registered EEG technologist monitoring your brainwave activity at all times. This method ensures that even the smallest changes in brain activity are captured in real time, providing detailed data for your physician. Continuous monitoring is ideal for patients who are higher risk of seizures, such as those coming off of seizure medications.

AMBULATORY EEG PROCESS

What to Expect During Your Ambulatory EEG

A Warm Welcome

You’ll come to our office for an initial setup that typically takes 1.5 hours. During this time, we’ll explain how the equipment works, how to maintain a patient log and what button to press if you experience abnormal activity.

In-Office EEG Hookup

Using our gentle, safe adhesive paste (not the harsh collodion often used in hospitals), we will place 26 electrodes individually on your scalp, following the 10-20 measuring system. These electrodes are secured with cotton and wrapped with gauze for comfort.

Setting You Up for Success

We send you home with a checklist on how to set everything up. Once at home, you will message us on our business line, and a technologist wil log on remotely to ensure everything is running properly.

Remote EEG Monitoring

Our technologists will monitor your brain activity either continuously or intermittently, depending on your doctor’s recommendation. If any issues arise, we’ll immediately address them remotely.

Study Completion

Once your EEG study is complete, we can end the test remotely and you can dispose of the electrodes safely and easily at home. When you have time, you will return the recording equipment to the West Wave office. If you are uncomfortable removing them yourself, you can come to our office at a scheduled time to have the headwrap removed.

Reach Out to Our Team

Have more questions about EEGs? Check out our FAQ page or reach out to our team for more information.

FAQ's

What is an EEG?

An EEG (electroencephalogram) measures electrical activity in your brain. It helps detect and diagnose conditions like epilepsy, seizures and other neurological disorders.
How does an EEG work?

Small electrodes are placed on your scalp, which monitor your brainwave patterns. The procedure is painless and takes around 60 minutes depending on the type of EEG.
Why would I need an EEG?

EEGs are used to help diagnose and monitor various neurological conditions like epilepsy, sleep disorders, traumatic brain injuries and more.
How do I know if I need an EEG?

Your physician will determine if an EEG is necessary based on your symptoms or medical condition. If you experience seizures, unexplained fainting or other neurological symptoms, an EEG may be recommended.
Can I get an EEG without a referral?

No. You must be referred to our office to have an EEG completed. Please reach out to your primary care physician or specialist to inquire about EEG diagnostics.
Do I have to see a neurologist before getting an EEG?

No! Your primary care physician can refer you for an EEG prior to seeing a neurologist. Doing this will allow you to show up to your first neurology appointment with results in hand, leading to a quicker diagnosis and expedited care.
What is the difference between routine and long-term EEGs?

A routine EEG is conducted over a one-hour period, while a long-term EEG may be conducted over 24 hours or even days to capture more detailed data about brain activity.
Are there age restrictions on EEGs?

No! West Wave Neurodiagnostics offers EEG monitoring for all ages, including neonatal and pediatric patients.
How do I prepare for a sleep deprived EEG?

If you are scheduled for a sleep deprived EEG, get no more than 4 hours of sleep the night before your study. The less sleep, the better. Do not drink any caffeine at least 8 hours prior, and be sure to arrive with clean, dry hair. You will need to have someone drive you to your appointment.
How do I prepare for my routine EEG?

If you are scheduled for a routine EEG please arrive with clean dry hair and do not have any caffeine at least 9 hours prior to your appointment.
How do I prepare for my ambulatory EEG?

Please arrive with clean dry hair and do not have caffeine at least 9 hours prior to your ambulatory EEG appointment. We also recommend wearing clothing you can easily pull over your head or a button up shirt to avoid tugging on the headwrap.
Should I bring anything to my EEG appointment?

Please bring any relevant medical history, referral information and a list of medications you’re currently taking. If you are accompanying a child for an EEG, please have them bring their favorite stuffed animal or toy so we can wrap their head, too! You may also bring a pillow or blanket if you’d like. Some patients also bring hats for after the appointment.
Will I need to stop any medications?

You should be taking your medication as prescribed unless otherwise instructed by your physician.
Are EEGs painful?

No, EEGs are completely painless. The sticky electrodes are simply placed on your skin to record electrical activity in your brain.
How long does an EEG take?

A routine in-office EEG typically lasts. However, West Wave Neuro has a minimum in-office EEG time of 61 minutes. Ambulatory or long-term EEG monitoring is a minimum of 24 hours up to 7 days.
What should I expect during an EEG?

The process for in-office routine EEGs and Ambulatory EEGs is different. Please see our services page for specific information on each EEG procedure.
When will I get my EEG results?

Your EEG results are typically analyzed by our team of neurology specialists immediately following the conclusion of your test. The final report is sent to your referring physician, who will discuss the findings with you. Routine EEGs typically take 1-2 business days. Long-term EEG results can take up to 4-5 business days depending on the duration of the study.
Who do the EEG results get sent to?

Your EEG results will be sent to the referring physician. If you would like other providers on your care team to receive your EEG results, you can let us know in your new patient paperwork.
What happens if my EEG shows abnormal activity?

If abnormal activity is detected during your EEG, our medical team will contact your physician immediately to ensure prompt action is taken. Your referring physician will be the one to further direct your care, based off of the results we provide them.
How do I get the paste out of my hair?

We do our best to remove most of the paste prior to leaving the office, but the best method is to wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner.
Can I have a copy of the EEG report?

We have a patient portal where you can access your report after your doctor has gone over the results with you.
What insurance do you accept?

We accept most insurance companies, including: Medicare, Aetna, AARP, Cencal, Medi-Cal, CCPN, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, United Health Care, Cigna, Secondary to medicare plans.
How do I get referred for an EEG?

You will need a referral from your primary care provider, neurologist or another healthcare provider. Once we receive your referral, our team will contact you to schedule your appointment.
How does West Wave Neuro handle my results?

After your EEG is complete, our technologists prepare the data, and our board-certified doctors review and interpret your results. These results are then sent directly to your referring physician, who will discuss them with you and plan the next steps in your care.
Can I share my results with other doctors?

Yes, you can request that we send yout EEG results to other members of your healthcare team, such as your cardiologist or primary care provider.
What makes West Wave Neurodiagnostics different?

As the only EEG provider in the Central Coast area offering both in-office and in-home services, we are dedicated to providing personalized, accessible EEG care for adults and pediatrics.