EEG preparation in KPHB

First, confirm the exact EEG requested

There are different EEG recordings. Ask the clinic which type has been prescribed and request instructions for that appointment. This page is general information, not a clinic-approved test protocol.

Before travelling, confirm availability, arrival time, the total time to allow, fees and how reports will be shared. Do not assume that every type of recording is available at this clinic.

Hair and scalp preparation

The NHS advises clean, dry hair without products such as gel or wax for an EEG. Tell the clinic about hair arrangements or anything else that could affect attaching scalp sensors, and follow its specific instructions.

A comb or hairbrush may be useful afterwards. Ask the team if you are unsure about preparation.

Medicines, meals and sleep

Do not independently change medicines or sleep arrangements to prepare for a recording. Ask the requesting clinician or test team for instructions appropriate to the prescribed EEG. Confirm any eating or drinking requirements with them.

Keep the instructions where you can refer to them and contact the clinic if any detail is unclear. This guide does not recommend fasting, stopping treatment or staying awake.

What the recording involves

An EEG records electrical activity using scalp electrodes connected to a recording machine. The team may give instructions during the recording. Different types can take different amounts of time, so confirm the visit duration.

Questions to ask when arranging the test

• Which type of EEG is on my request?
• What preparation applies to this recording?
• What reports or request documents should I bring?
• Can someone accompany me, and what assistance can be arranged?
• When will the report be available and who will discuss it with me?

Keep the request and instructions together

When contacting the clinic, have the prescribed test name available so staff can match the enquiry to the intended recording. Keep any preparation instructions in a place you can refer to again. If the request changes or the timing is rearranged, ask whether the instructions need to be checked again.

Discuss support and participation

Tell the team about communication, mobility or other assistance needs before attending. Ask whether a companion should come and what they may need to know. This website does not establish age-specific arrangements or how every recording is organized at the clinic. Direct confirmation is especially useful when you are arranging the visit for someone else.

Plan for the report discussion

A recording and a clinical explanation are different parts of care. Ask who will receive the report, who should explain it and whether a separate consultation is needed. Do not use a general online description to interpret a result or change treatment. The website preparation guide cannot predict what an individual recording will show.