From February 14 to 21, the Second Annual Seizure Action Plan Awareness Week will highlight the importance of having a seizure action plan in place. The awareness campaign is supported by the Seizure Action Plan Coalition.
What is a Seizure Action Plan?
A Seizure Action Plan – or SAP – incorporates tailored guidelines on how to respond during a seizure. It includes essential information that can help people react quickly and reduce the harm a seizure can do. The use of a SAP can offer more control to patients and caregivers by providing consistent, patient-specific guidance regarding seizure management. A SAP can provide clarification on patient and caregiver concerns, such as understanding what to do during a seizure, when watchful waiting is appropriate, when to intervene with at-home rescue medications, when to call 911 or go to the hospital, and much more.
Why do I need one?
A SAP is important because seizures can be life-threatening. Having a SAP lets others know what to do in an emergency situation. A SAP can reduce the time to action during a seizure and faster response times can reduce risk of prolonged seizures, the need for emergency rescue medications, and the risk for seizure-associated mortality.
There are many exceptional resources and thorough templates that can be used to start a SAP. Here are our favorite resources. We also recommend anyone working with a child or person with epilepsy completes Seizure First Aid Training.
Child Neurology Foundation
Seizure Rescue Medication & Seizure Action Plan Educational Video
Epilepsy Foundation
Seizure Action Plan information
Connect with families, read inspiring stories, and get helpful resources delivered right to your inbox.
Connect with families, read inspiring stories, and get helpful resources delivered right to your inbox.
