Video Telemetry (VT) or Home LTM

Your Doctor has asked you to come in to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for a Video Telemetry Investigation. Video Telemetry is similar to an EEG but you will be monitored continuously for up to 5 days while you stay in hospital. Small discs will be placed on your head with a sticky paste and fixed with special skin glue. These wires are connected to a computer and record your brain activity alongside video monitoring throughout your stay.

The investigation is painless, once the electrodes are in place you will probably forget they are there. We ask that an adult family member stay with you on the ward for the week, to look after you and to let us know when attacks occur. You will have to stay in the bedspace with the equipment throughout your stay. Please bring games, books, DVDs and homework (if you want!) to keep you entertained. We have a hospital school and play specialists that can come and help you with your own homework or do some activities. It is easier to wear tops that button up, shirts, pyjamas or onesies as it makes it easier once the electrodes are in place, but don’t worry if you don’t have any items like this.

As a result of staying in the bedspace you will not be able to have showers or baths, just washes. In addition if you need the toilet you will be asked to use a commode which will be outside camera sight, next to your bed. We are aware that this is very difficult and can be worrying for some children but we need to monitor you for as much as we can over the space of 5 days and cannot afford to miss data if you are disconnected from the equipment.

If you have any problems or questions about the test, please contact us on the number on the attached letter. Please be aware on the morning of your test prior to leaving to come to us, before you set off to come to the hospital wait till you receive a call from us. This is to ensure bed availability and confirm your appointment.

• In some situations, beds are not available due to emergencies and your test may have to be rescheduled, to another time or another day.
• You will be asked to come straight to Neurophysiology on the Ground floor of BCH to have the electrodes applied before we then take you to Ward 10 and settle you in your bedspace.
• Whilst you are in hospital your medicines may be reduced and you may have some of your usual attacks. Don’t worry, someone will always be with you. (Do not reduce your medications unless you have been advised to by your Doctor or the Clinical Neurophysiologist performing the test). Please can you bring all your medicines in their original packaging when you come in for this test.
• We might ask that on some nights you stay up late and we wake you up early to try and increase the chance of capturing some of your attacks. Once we capture a few examples of your attacks we will be able to remove the electrodes and let you go home. If your medications have been stopped we may wait until your medication is restarted to make sure you are well enough to go home.
• There are no side effects from this investigation, although some children can become sore from the electrodes as they are applied for the whole week. This will subside after showering/bathing and some cream is applied.
• After the investigation has been completed the recording has to be analysed by the Consultant Neurophysiologist. The results will be sent back to your Doctor and discussed in a Multi-Disciplinary Meeting which can take several weeks.