Guaranteeing Quality In The Diagnosis Of Electrocerebral Silence

The quality of the EEG signal is important for the proper diagnosis of electrocerebral silence (ECS). Noise in the EEG signals makes difficult the formation of a precise diagnosis concerning the existence of cerebral activity in patients who are considered to be in potential cerebral death. In an attempt to guarantee the quality of the diagnosis of ECS, a study was performed at a public hospital in Brazil applying the Health Care Failure and Effect Analysis (HFMEA) technique. Through this study, problems that interfere with the quality of the EEG exam were identified and subsequently certain actions were proposed to help reduce the risks of these potential problems. These actions certify the functioning of the EEG equipment within the formal standards of safety and quality. © 2005 IEEE.2005422425Engl, N., Med, J., (2001) The Diagnosis of Brain Death, 344 (16), pp. 467-469Niedermeyer, E., Silva, F.L., Electroencephalography: Basic Principles, Clinical Applications and Related Fields, 4rd Ed.Stalhandske, E., How to Make the most of failure mode and effect analysis (2003) Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 37 (2), pp. 96-102. , March/AprilAn introdution to FMEA, using failure mode effects analysis to meet JCAHO's proactive risk assessment requirement (2002) Health Devices, 31 (6), pp. 223-226. , JuneHospitals tackle new JCAHO requirement with failure mode and effects analysis (2002) The Risk Management Reporter, 21 (2), pp. 1-7. , AprilGrissinger, M., Rich, D., JCAHO: Meeting the standards for patient safety, a focus on medication safety is required under joint commission standards, and tools are available to help pharmacists achieve the best possible outcomes (2002) The Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association, 42 (5). , September/ OctoberEEG monitorseleotroenoephalographs (2002) HPCS, pp. 5-6. , DecemberEbersole, J.S., Pedley, T.A., Current Practice of Clinical Electroencephalography, 3rd Ed, pp. 271-287Derosier, J., Using health care failure mode and effect analysis™: The VA national center for patient safety's prospective risk analysis system (2002) Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Journal on Quality Improvement, 28 (5), pp. 248-267. , Ma