BRAINSTREAM™

The data
Reusable electroencephalography cup-electrodes are characterized as semi-critical devices¹ and require comprehensive reprocessing to prevent infections, since the skin is abraded prior to application.

A recent multi-center, prospective, microbiologic evaluation of cleaned reusable EEG cups at four epilepsy monitoring units, conducted by Nancy Albert and published in the American Journal of Infection Control in 2018, concludes that 22.6% of cleaned reusable EEG cup electrodes had bacteria that were potential or at risk for infection. Further, epithelial cells were found on 60.5% of cleaned, ready to use reusable EEGs².

The high cost of HAIs
Annually, approximately 2 million patients suffer with healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in the USA alone, and nearly 90,000 are estimated to die. The overall direct cost of HAIs to hospitals ranges from US $28 billion to $45 billion. While the range is wide, HAIs are clearly expensive³.

BRAINSTREAM™ Product Features
For convenience, BRAINSTREAM™ comes with pre-attached tangle-free lead wires, a 3mm cup height that allows for ample gel or paste, and a 2mm hole that allows gel to escape during positioning and permits blunt needle insertion. An advanced silver/silver chloride sensor ensures uniform high signal quality.

The electrodes have a 10mm diameter and positioning guides for easier placement. They are safe for use in CT and X-Ray environments and are available with 10, 21, 24, 25, 26, and 27 electrodes per pouch.

¹Scott NK. Infection Prevention:2013 Review and Update for Neurodiagnostic Technologists. Neurodiagn J. 2013, 53:271-288.
²Contamination of Reusable Electroencephalography Electrodes, a Multicenter Study Albert, Nancy M.Bena, James Runner, Jack Morrison, Shannon Ciudad, Charlotte Rice, Karen Keleekai, Nowai Slifcak, Ellen et al.
³Stone PW. Economic burden of healthcare-associated infections: an American perspective. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2009;9(5):417-22.