Forwarded for Omaha: TV Doctors are incompetent when dealing with epileptics

[elfs]

The Epilepsy Foundation of America reviewed scenes from 59 television episodes from "Grey's Anatomy," "House, M.D.," and "Private Practice" and the last five seasons of "ER" in which seizures were portrayed. The conclusion? TV doctors depict first aid practices that are incompetent and dangerous:

The study found that inappropriate practices, including holding the person down, trying to stop involuntary movements or putting something in the person's mouth, occurred in 25 cases, nearly 46 percent of the time. First aid management was shown appropriately in 17 seizures, or about 29 percent of the time. Appropriateness of first aid could not be determined in 15 incidents of seizures, or 25 percent.

I mean, come on, how hard can this be? If the victim is standing up when the seziure happens, guide him to the floor. Put a pillow or folded-up jacket under the head to keep him from hitting it on the ground and injuring his head, neck, or airway during involuntary movements. If you don't know the victim, dial 911 (or the appropriate code for your country) and clear the area around the victim to keep him and bystanders from interacting.

(HT to anonymous.)

Comments

[yohannon.livejournal.com]

I used to have nasty seizures from the age of 12 until I was about 19. Then they stopped -- but that's another story.

As to the "don't try to hold him down" portion of the debate, I had this MASSIVE seizure in school one fine day, and a well-meaning football player twice my size found himself with two black eyes from attempting to do just that -- apparently he caught an elbow in one and a knee in the other. Precisely how is a mystery, as I don't remember too much until I woke up in the nurses office.

Conversely, when I had a seizure after coming of some anti-depressant meds about 10 years ago, Roni was smart enough to keep me from face-planting onto a working wood stove and the brick pad it was on, and kept the area around me clear (fortunately that was a one-off -- I have a great deal of respect for people who somehow manage constant, or even occasional, seizures).

People should learn that entertainment is NOT the best source for life saving techniques -- I remember one medical drama from the late 70's/early 80's where someone "defibbed" a heart attack victim with an extension cord with the two ends stripped. 110 AC wouldn't do the trick, as far as I know. I've often wondered if anyone died because of that bogus tip.