Seizure Precautions

Seizure precautions can vary slightly from hospital to hospital, depending on the type of seizure the patient is at risk for. In most hospitals, full resuscitation equipment (e.g., cardiorespiratory monitor and a bag valve mask that supplies readily available oxygen) is placed at the bedside as a precaution in the case of cardiac dysfunction or oxygen deprivation during a seizure. If the individual has seizures in the form of staring-spells, there is a low risk of compromising the airway. Therefore, a bag and mask for oxygen may not be needed at the bedside. 

If the individual has seizures that involve jerking of the body and extremities, seizure pads may be placed on the rails of the patient’s bed. The seizure pads are used to prevent the person from injuring themselves against the metal bars of the hospital bed. In most cases, hospital staff will be trained to avoid holding the person down and putting anything in their mouth in order to prevent choking. In case of aspiration, a suction is placed at the bedside. Lastly, the bed itself is typically placed as close to the ground as possible, with side rails up, as part of fall precaution procedures.