Describe early successes and struggles of adaptation of a stat electroencephalography system.

The MicroEEG system was adopted at Boston Medical Center in May 2019. Residents were the target users. A faculty member provided instructions and demonstrations every six months. Residents were encouraged to consult with the faculty member in real time with technical difficulties. Feedback was obtained via semi-structured interviews after use and during regular resident meetings. We reviewed cases of early use at our center, its influence on care, and how residents perceived its use.

MicroEEG has been used most frequently- in the emergency department (86%), by residents (71%), during evenings/weekends (100%), with primary indication to exclude NCSE (100%). Challenges include competing time constraints as residents, perceived lack of training with first time use and hardware challenges. Residents found benefits in help by senior residents with multiple uses (“early adopters”), real-time technical help by faculty and allowing MicroEEG to run while carrying out other tasks. Residents remain incentivized to use the system due to potential for improving patient care.

MicroEEG has been impactful although practical challenges remain. Our study illustrates lessons on adopting new technologies in a training program. In addition to awareness of time costs of use by trainees and soliciting feedback regularly, successful implementation relies on recruiting early adopters and close involvement of faculty familiar with trainee workflow.