Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Center

Epilepsy Overview • Seizures and first aid • Focal • Generalized • Landau Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) • Infantile Spasma Diagnosis and Monitoring • Inpatient monitoring unit • Photo tour of our unit • Pediatrics Department • Directions/Parking/Hotels • Contacts Tests • Electroencphalogram (EEG) • Video EEG • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Functional MRI • WADA • SPECT • PET • Neuropsychological Testing • CT

The inpatient unit of the Beth Israel Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program is located in its own wing at Beth Israel Medical Center. It is a state-of-the-art six-bed unit, with its own nurse’s station, dedicated solely to the care of children with epilepsy.

There are two private and two double rooms, a playroom and a family room. Wireless Internet access is available. Each child has his or her own DVD player, CD player and video game system. Two children can be monitored in the playroom, which contains two video EEG hookups.

The family room has Internet access, television, books and cooking facilities, as well as comfortable couches and chairs. The Child Life staff and music therapists are available to comfort and play with all the children. Crafts, games, books, movies and toys, as well as a big-screen TV are located in the playroom.

If your child is being admitted to the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), you should both watch the video on epilepsy monitoring. Copies of the video are available in the playroom. It will give you and your child a very clear understanding of what will happen during your stay.

In order to determine whether there is seizure activity, each child has electrodes glued to his or her head with a sticky substance called collidon. This procedure takes about an hour and a half. We recommend that you bring a button down shirt for your child to wear during this procedure, as it is sometimes difficult to get clothes on and off with the electrodes in place.

The procedure is not painful but it sometimes seems long to the children and the collodion has a very pungent odor. The children must remain relatively still during this procedure. For these reasons, we made a video machine or music available for your child to help pass the time. If your child would like a different activity, such as coloring or a puzzle, please let the staff know.

The electrodes will remain on for a period of time decided by the neurology team.

There are doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, residents, and EEG technicians in the EMU. During your stay in the EMU, your child may have a seizure. If this occurs, please press the event button connected to the electrodes and pouch. There is also a microphone above the bed. Please talk into it when the seizure occurs. For example, say “I think I am seeing a seizure,” or “My child is staring now,” or anything else that might be helpful to the doctors in the evaluation process.

You will also be given a paper called the seizure record. Fill in as much of this form as possible if a seizure occurs.

Beth Israel Pediatrics is located on the 6th floor of the Dazian Pavilion. To get there, enter through the Emergency Room entrance on 16th street between 1st Avenue and Stuyvesant Park.

Visiting Hours
Visiting hours are 12 noon to 8 pm. Only parents have 24-hour visiting privileges.

In order to maintain a restful environment, a maximum of two visitors (including parents) is allowed in the patient's room. Additional visitors can wait either in the family lounge or in the lobby on the 1st floor.

As part of our family-centered care, we welcome one parent or legal guardian to sleep overnight at the bedside with each patient. Given the limited space, we cannot accommodate a second parent or guardian overnight, although they are welcome to continue to visit after visiting hours.

Babies do not have fully developed immune systems and get an infection very easily. For this reason, babies under the age of twelve months are not permitted on the pediatrics floor.

For the health of our patients, sick children may not visit.

Visitors are welcome to eat and drink in the family room, but food and beverages are not permitted in the patient's room.

Visiting children are permitted in the family lounge and the playroom when accompanied and supervised by an adult family member.

Playroom
The playroom is open seven days a week, from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The playroom is considered a safe haven for children on the 6th floor. It is a place where children are free to make choices and where no medical procedures occur.

Staff and volunteers can assist your child in finding age-appropriate activities, which help to alleviate much of the stress and fear children often feel when they are in the hospital.

Bedside Activities
Participating in play and recreation is therapeutic and beneficial to your child’s wellbeing. If your child is not able to come to the playroom, a Child Life Specialist or volunteer can bring activities to his or her bedside.

We have a large supply of games, crafts, and toys that can be brought to your child’s room. Our staff will help determine activities based on your child’s interests.

Family Lounge
The family lounge is located at the end of the hallway past the playroom. It is open 24 hours a day.

There is a recliner-rocker and a love seat that also reclines for any parent who needs to take a break. Among the amenities in this room are a flat screen TV, computer, fax, microwave, refrigerator, computer, and coffee pot. We also provide a kosher refrigerator.

Videos and Video Games
We offer seven video game systems and a variety of games for children to use at bedside. They include Nintendo Game Cube, Playstation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo 64.

We also have a computer in the playroom so children can play computer games. All games and systems must be signed out. For the popular systems, only two games can be loaned to a child at one time.

The Louis and Lucille Armstrong Music Therapy Program
Our music therapy staff provides individual and group sessions.

Upon referral, the therapists can see your child individually, or in a group with other patients. The therapy team also accompanies children to procedures.

Each Wednesday at 11 am, a Community Jam Session takes place in the play room. This is a special music gathering for patients, families, and staff and all are welcome.

Videotapes, Audiotapes, and Books
Each bedside has a VCR/DVD system for the children to use, free of charge. Movies are available in the playroom, and must be signed out.

Each bedside also has a CD player. Music cassettes and videos are available for the children’s use, free of charge. They must be signed out.

Children’s books are available in the family lounge.

The Milton and Carroll Petrie Division of Beth Israel Medical Center is located at First Avenue and 16th Street.

Directions by car
Take the FDR Drive (East Side Highway) to 23rd Street. Drive to 14th Street. Turn onto 14th Street. Make a right on 1st Avenue. Make a left on 17th Street.

There is limited meter parking and a limited number of parking spaces at the Beth Israel Garage just off 1st Avenue. The garage is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Parking
Public garages are located at:
17th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenues
333 East 14th Street
200 East 15th Street
130 East 18th Street
245 East 22nd Street

Directions by Subway
The nearest subway station is 14th Street and 1st Avenue (L train). The closest major subway station is Union Square and 14th street. The 4, 5, and 6 trains and the R and N trains all stop at Union Square. You can connect to the L at Union Square, or walk to First Avenue.

Directions by Bus
Use the M14 crosstown bus and get off at 1st Avenue and 14th Street
Use the M15 uptown bus and get off at 1st Avenue and 14th Street
Use the M15 downtown bus and get off at 2nd Avenue and 14th Street

Hotel and Housing Accommodations
• Beth Israel Housing is located at Gilman Hall, 17th Street and 1st Avenue. (212) 523-2752. There are eight studio and two-bedroom bedroom apartments. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Union Square Inn – 209 East 14th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. (212) 614-0500. 47 rooms with queen or double beds. (Walk-up only)
• Hotel 17 – 225 East 17th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues. (212) 475 2845. 120 rooms.
• W New York Union Square Hotel – 201 Park Avenue South at 17th Street. (212) 253- 9119. 270 king size or double rooms.

Edward Conway, Jr., MD, Chairman of Pediatrics, (212) 844-1333
Kathleen Maloney-Lutz, Coordinator, (212) 844-1072
Honey Shields, Director of Child Life, (212) 420-2429