Feasibility of EEG Monitoring During Long-Distance Ambulance Transport

Recent research demonstrates that EEG monitoring can be effectively conducted during ambulance transfers, even over extended distances. A collaborative study involving the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio University Hospital, and North Savo's emergency services tested the use of a compact, wireless EEG device (BrainStatus) during ambulance rides for patients with acute stroke. The study aimed to evaluate the technical quality of EEG recordings and assess the reliability of real-time data transfer to remote physicians. Transport times varied from approximately 40 minutes to nearly 3.5 hours. Results showed that the EEG signal quality remained stable throughout long-distance transports, with minimal disruptions in data transfer within the hospital district. This indicates that EEG can be a valuable tool in emergency medical settings, providing critical information on patients’ neurological status during transit. Such technology could enhance pre-hospital diagnostics, guide treatment decisions, and potentially initiate treatment before hospital arrival. However, fully integrating EEG data into clinical protocols requires further development of computational methods for stroke diagnosis, as current analysis techniques are still in early stages. The ability to perform reliable, real-time EEG monitoring during transport opens new avenues for improving stroke care and emergency response effectiveness.

For more information, see the full study published in PLOS One: https://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327415

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-eeg-ambulance-distance.html