The largest Swiss epilepsy center uses an innovative cloud-based diagnostic platform on which so-called brain and other patient data can be analyzed in real time and from different locations. As a result, the diagnosis can be made more quickly and competently by involving specialists, and the quality of the treatment of neurological diseases can be improved.
(Zurich)(PPS) The Swiss Epilepsy Center at Klinik Lengg in Zurich, the largest center in Switzerland specializing in epilepsy, is pioneering the use of an advanced cloud-based multimedia platform. It is used for digital case reviews and for working together on patient data, such as EEG data (electroencephalography), MRIs or video recordings. Thanks to the platform, the clinic’s neurologists can evaluate this data remotely and work more closely with the referring physicians, improving medical decision-making and the quality of care.
PD dr Lukas Imbach, Medical Director of the Swiss Epilepsy Center at Klinik Lengg, comments: “Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting around 70 million people worldwide. The diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy are therefore part of everyday clinical practice in neurology. About 30 percent of all epilepsies are difficult to treat because the nature of the seizures is unclear or those affected do not respond to medical treatment. In these cases, further investigations are carried out in specialized epilepsy centers with neurophysiological, psychological and radiological expertise. There are situations in which such help would be indicated, but the patient cannot be referred to a specialized center. The corona pandemic has also made the need for digital solutions in healthcare clear. With our cloud-based platform, affiliated centers can now access our experts from anywhere, who support them with diagnosis and joint case analysis, thus ensuring that patients everywhere receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible.”
The platform is based on VMLpro, an advanced cloud-based multimedia system solution designed by NeuroPro.ch for remote diagnostics and collaborative work on patient data. The software was developed in close cooperation with the specialists at the Swiss Epilepsy Center at Klinik Lengg in Zurich to ensure that it meets all the needs of doctors and can be seamlessly integrated into their daily work. Since 2021, the platform has been used by several hospitals, primarily for case conferences and for the effective exchange of medical data.
VMLpro enables doctors in clinics and practices to evaluate EEG data (electroencephalography), MRTs, video recordings, etc. together – and independently of the respective data format – and thus accelerate and improve medical decision-making in difficult cases. Patients benefit from this stronger network, above all through an improved quality of care.
dr Teresa Sollfrank, Chief Product Manager at NeuroPro, explains: “Preserving the privacy of patient data was always the top priority in this project. For this reason, the security concept was developed in close cooperation with the cantonal data protection officer of the canton of Zurich and the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC). In consultation with them, a data protection framework has been developed to ensure full compliance of the platform services with Swiss data protection and health regulations.”
With around 900 inpatient and 4,500 outpatient treatments per year, the Swiss Epilepsy Center at the Lengg Clinic in Zurich is the largest center in Switzerland specializing in epilepsy, seizures and seizure-like disorders. This center uses VMLpro to help referring neurologists interpret ambiguous or ambiguous EEG recordings. In addition, the Swiss Epilepsy Center offers to provide critical recordings, such as seizures, made during intensive video EEG monitoring for preoperative or differential diagnostic evaluations. This also makes it possible to involve referring physicians in the process of thorough patient information about the opportunities and risks of epilepsy surgery. In this way, more sufferers with unclear seizure-type disorders can be correctly diagnosed and treated within a shorter period of time, and epilepsy surgery can be offered to more people with epilepsy that cannot be medically treated.
PD dr Lukas Imbach, Medical Director of the Swiss Epilepsy Center at the Lengg Clinic in Zurich, reports on one of the many examples of how VMLpro has improved the quality of patient care: “A patient was presented with two nocturnal seizures in quick succession, but with no history of epilepsy yet brought to the emergency room of a general hospital during the night. On the one hand, epileptic seizures are a great physical strain, on the other hand, the disturbed control of the central nervous system can lead to important bodily functions such as controlling breathing, blood pressure and temperature failing. Therefore, a reliable diagnosis and prompt treatment are of crucial importance. The attending doctor was able to provide me with the EEG recording of this patient via the VMLpro platform, so that I could immediately look at this EEG and give my opinion on it. Without the EEG platform, it might have taken hours to diagnose. Thanks to close cooperation with specialized partners, transfers can be made faster and in a more targeted manner. The effective exchange of findings enables the timely start of necessary treatments.»
Resident doctors and neurological departments not specialized in epileptology can benefit from such an innovative data exchange platform by having direct access to the opinions of epileptologists. In addition, they can now view the video EEG recordings of their (epileptic or non-epileptic) seizures together with their patients, which they could previously only classify based on the patients’ verbal reports.
In a further step, the digital cooperation with VMLpro will also enable hospitals without a neurological department to have EEG recordings of a comatose intensive care patient or a patient in the emergency room with a blackout of unclear cause evaluated by external neurologists.
dr Jamil El-Imad, Managing Director and Chief Scientist at NeuroPro.ch, comments: “The Swiss Epilepsy Center at Klinik Lengg is breaking new ground by offering the neurological community this advanced online service, the latest cutting edge in cloud computing technology uses. We are pleased that VMLpro, our platform for remote diagnostics and collaboration, enables the highest efficiency and quality in treatment.
Further information:
Swiss Epilepsy Center, Klinik Lengg
The Swiss Epilepsy Center at the Lengg Clinic in Zurich is the largest competence center in Switzerland specializing in epilepsy and other seizure-type disorders. It has extensive diagnostic methods and highly effective treatment options and enjoys an international reputation. Since it was founded in 1886, the focus here has been on people with epilepsy or other neurological diseases. You enjoy comprehensive medical, therapeutic and social offers in a personal environment. Klinik Lengg is in an excellent location in Zurich, embedded in a natural park with a view of Lake Zurich and the Alps.
kliniklengg.ch
Contact:
Liliane Pieters
Head of Corporate Communications and Marketing
T +41 44 387 63 66
E liliane.pieters @ kliniklengg.ch