The clinical experience at Ochsner is built around a structured split between outpatient epilepsy care and inpatient EMU coverage. The program handles the full spectrum of pediatric epilepsy management, from diagnostic workup through advanced interventional therapies. Hospitalists serve as the primary admitting team; epileptologists function as consultants, which keeps the inpatient burden manageable and focused on complex neurology cases.
Clinic is located at the OMC North Campus and runs at 10 to 12 patients per day with two exam rooms per provider. Virtual clinic is scheduled twice per week. Referrals come primarily from PCPs within the Ochsner system. The program does not refer out epilepsy or general pediatric neurology cases; only autism and neuroimmunology are directed elsewhere.
The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is currently a 4-bed Level IV EMU, expanding to 6 beds in the new Children's Hospital opening in 2027. Hospitalists admit patients and contact epileptologists for consults. Hospitalists also cover EMU patients overnight, reducing after-hours burden on the neurology team.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| EMU Size | 4 beds (current); 6 beds (new hospital, 2027) |
| EMU Level | Level IV |
| Average Daily Admissions | 2 per day |
| Overnight Coverage | Hospitalists team covers EMU overnight |
| Call Volume | 2 to 5 consults per week (maximum) |
The program manages a broad range of advanced epilepsy therapies, reflecting the depth of the subspecialty infrastructure at Ochsner.
| Call Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency | One week per month |
| Format | Home call; rarely requires hospital presentation |
| Scheduling | Set six months in advance |
| Duties | Rounding, responding to neurology consults |
| Volume | 2 to 5 calls per week maximum |
| Rotation | 1:4 minimum |
The epilepsy team operates within a well-resourced subspecialty environment with direct access to surgical and diagnostic colleagues.
Ochsner operates a strong graduate medical education environment. The incoming physician can engage in teaching across residency programs and subspecialty fellowships without pressure to publish. Academic appointments are available through Xavier University, MD Anderson (adjunct), and the University of Queensland. Xavier Ochsner College of Medicine welcomes its inaugural class in 2027.