What is a seizure action plan?
Seizure action plans are critical tools for people with epilepsy who are not always able to control their seizures. Epilepsy is unpredictable and seizures are a medical emergency and can happen at any time and in any place. Being prepared for an emergency ahead of time can increase seizure safety and minimize the risk of injury.
Who should I share my plan with?
When a seizure happens, the person may not be able to communicate. Walking through the plan and making it easily accessible to key individuals is important, so someone knows exactly what to do when a person with epilepsy cannot advocate for themselves. Sharing the plan with teachers, coworkers, and supervisors ahead of time ensures they know what to do without panic or delay.
How do I create a seizure action plan?
People with epilepsy and/or their caregivers should work with their neurologist to create a personalized plan.
To help you get started, the Seizure Action Plan Coalition has created a list of information that would be useful to have in an SAP:
- Patient name, date of birth, height/weight, and diagnosis
- Emergency contact information
- Neurologist contact information
- List of daily medications and doses
- List of drug allergies
- Short statement of current seizure pattern
- List of seizure triggers
- Summary of the physical appearance of the seizure
- How to help the patient during the seizure
- Examples of when your seizures require additional help or assistance
- Other emergency care or situations that are specific to the patient
- Rescue mediations with dosage and administration timing
- Can a second or third dose be given?
- Note possible adverse side effects of rescue medications
- How to record the patient’s seizures
List source: https://seizureactionplans.org/for-families/
When should rescue medications be part of a plan?
For some people with epilepsy, one seizure triggers subsequent seizures. This is called a seizure cluster, flurry, or group. Because a person’s first seizure increases their risk for additional seizures, a rescue medication can be very helpful addition to a seizure action plan. While these medications can’t prevent that first seizure, they can help decrease the risk of additional seizures on that day.
Educational Resources
Find out more about Seizure Action Plans.
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