Admission to the epilepsy clinic
Kempenhaeghe offers the possibility of admission to the epilepsy clinic in Heeze or Oosterhout if care at the outpatient clinic is insufficient. The clinics have various wards for children and adults, the normally talented and people with a mental retardation.
There are various reasons for admission of epilepsy patients. Some people have extensive diagnostic examinations and tests, others come for observation or initiation of a therapy and/or counselling.
The duration of the hospital stay depends on what examinations and tests are needed and the treatment. The duration may be a few days, but several months as well. Before admission you will be told what ward will receive you.
Before admission
If you (or your child or family member) are eligible for admission, you will get a letter stating the date, time and ward of admission.If you (or your child or family member) are eligible for admission, you will get a letter stating the date, time and ward of admission.
Alternatively, you may receive an invitation for an introduction visit first. If so, your date of admission will be discussed with you during this visit. Please prepare your hospital stay as well as possible
Things to do
- Inform your health insurance timely that you have been scheduled for admission to our clinic
- Inform your employer or social security administration about your admission to Kempenhaeghe
Your medical information will be sent to Kempenhaeghe by your referring doctor.
Things to take with you
Please do not forget to bring along the patient's health insurance information. A stay at the Kempenhaeghe clinic differs from a stay at a regular hospital. For example, you will not be in bed in daytime. Children will attend school, if they are not scheduled for examinations or tests. This means that you should bring along:
- Sufficient clothing, undergarment and nightwear
- Toilet articles, medications (medication overview from your pharmacy) and special foods
- Special support and/or protection devices (e.g. a helmet or wheelchair)
- Books, puzzles, games or other items you like to spend your time with
Extra's for children:
- Favourite toys and/or cuddly toys and possibly a duvet from home
- Schedule and exercise books of their own school
In case of a long-term stay, Kempenhaeghe provides toilet articles, medicines and special foods, and you can have your laundry done at Kempenhaeghe.
Valuables, such as jewellery, are best left at home. Kempenhaeghe will not be liable for any personal items that get lost. Children's wards have rules about pocket money. The nurse at the ward will inform you about it.
How to prepare a child
If a child is to be admitted, it is important to prepare him/her well. As a parent/carer you can:
- Talk, while still at home, frequently with your child about the hospital stay
- Explain what is going to happen as simply as possible, and talk about it honestly
- Pack the things needed for his/her stay at Kempenhaeghe together with your child
Please do not hesitate to ask the nurse of the admission ward if you have questions about the preparation. You may also ask the Vereniging Kind en Ziekenhuis (Child and Hospital Association). This association publishes information leaflets, T +31 (0)78 614 63 61.
One parent/carer can accompany the child during a short stay and at examinations/tests. You may spend the night at your child's room (rooming-in) or you may use a guest room. Thus, you can (partly) participate in your child's daily care. You are the one who knows your child best and you are familiar with his/her responses and behaviour. The more you tell us about your child, the better we can customize our care to him/her. Thus, we will share the care for your child. It is important to have clear understandings regarding this with the nurse.
During the hospital stay
A stay at Kempenhaeghe epilepsy centre is rather different than a stay at a general or academic hospital. The patient "is not in hospital" but is living in a different environment where life continues as normal as possible.A stay at Kempenhaeghe epilepsy centre is rather different than a stay at a general or academic hospital. The patient "is not in hospital" but is living in a different environment where life continues as normal as possible.
Daytime activities
Children admitted to Kempenhaeghe will attend school. Children at Kempenhaeghe's Heeze location will attend De Berkenschutse. This school is situated on Kempenhaeghe's main grounds. Children admitted to the Oosterhout location will attend the Koperakker or the Sint Liduina school. These are schools for special education in the region of West-Brabant with a small auxiliary branch on the Oosterhout grounds. Multihandicapped children are offered activities supporting them in discovering and developing their capabilities.
Adults may participate in various forms of creative day activities. Adults decide on their day programme in consultation with their supervisors.
Daily schedule
The admission wards maintain a normal day and night rhythm whenever and wherever possible. Every patient has his/her own schedule. Leisure time may be passed in your own room or in the ward's living room where a TV, radio, video, games, (game)computer and magazines are available. You may also use the various facilities at Kempenhaeghe, such as recreation building 't Scureken, the manège, farm, animal park or the meditation centre. Furthermore, the children may enjoy themselves in the playground and the "snoezelbos".
Admission wards usually have a kitchen. Sometimes, (cold) meals are used there. You may also use your lunch or diner at the admission centre's restaurant.
Visiting times
Visiting times vary among admission wards. The nurses of your ward know all about it, so please ask one of them. In general, visiting times are flexible. However, to avoid unrest and commotion at the wards, Kempenhaeghe requests you to spend the time with your visitors in the designated facilities. Parents visiting their child may participate in their child's care or undertake activities with him/her.
Weekends and holidays
Patients spend their weekends and holidays at home, examinations, tests and therapy permitting. Weekends start on Friday afternoon and last through Sunday evening. Please ask a nurse from your ward about the exact times.
Contact person
You will be supported by various nurses and/or carers at your ward. Every patient has one nurse who is responsible for his/her nursing care. This nurse is your contact person and "know-it-all". He/she participates in the treatment team and, for children, also maintains contacts with their class teachers at the centre's school. If desired, your nurse will accompany you at meetings.
Follow-up admission
There may be a need for intensive counselling after a stay at a "short stay ward" (up to about three months). Examples are problems in the areas of development and/or behaviour, or as yet unanswered issues concerning living and coping with epilepsy.
The follow-up admission wards are mainly situated in single-family dwellings in Heeze. Treatment and counselling aim at promoting future self-reliance. Daily schedule, division of tasks, social contacts, etcetera, copy family life as well as possible, with warmth, sociability, security and trust.
After admission
Inform your employer or social security administration about your leaving the admission ward.Inform your employer or social security administration about your leaving the admission ward.
After your stay, you may still visit Kempenhaeghe for some time for follow-up, further examinations or tests, or adjustment of your therapy. Your regular doctor and/or care worker will take over again once Kempenhaeghe's work for you has been completed. Kempenhaeghe guides this "back referral" with the utmost care in consultation with you.
