Seizure detection devices are at a relatively early stage of development and as yet there are no large scale studies or studies that compare the effectiveness of one device against others. The issue of false positive detection rates is important as they are disruptive for both the patient and the carer. Nevertheless, the development of seizure detection devices offers great potential in the management of epilepsy.

This study is the first epidemiological study in England occurring in a whole population identifying systemically all deaths and the first large scale review in UK of SUDEP deaths since 2005. Being a community based study a key issue which was highlighted was that in the SUDEPs examined many might have been potentially preventable.

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Purpose – Clinical risks can be contained through risk management initiatives, and can also be used to demonstrate effective clinical governance. The purpose of this paper is to outline a new risk assessment tool that monitors the risk factors of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Design/methodology/approach – A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to determine the contributory risk factors of SUDEP. A total of 18 factors were identified, of which 11 were modifiable and therefore have the potential to influence the risk of SUDEP. Findings – The factors identified from the literature review have been populated into a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet with drop-down boxes for the responses to each factor. No attempt has been made to rank these risk factors. Neuropsychiatrists piloting the tool in clinical practice have found the tool simple and quick to use. A printout of the checklist is placed in the patient's medical notes as evidence. Where an overall SUDEP risk rating is increasing, the clinical team can intervene to mitigate the risks. Originality/value – The checklist brings together factors identified in a systematic review of the literature in order to inform clinical practice in mental health. In parallel with using the checklist in practice, a broader team is undertaking an explorative retrospective case-control research study to determine whether it is possible to rank the risk factors; this will inform a more sophisticated risk assessment tool.

This quality improvement project was inspired as an answer to a problem that intellectual disability teams have been struggling to manage whilst caring for people with epilepsy (PWE). The issue was that despite guidance to discuss the possibility of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) be discussed with a newly diagnosed PWE this is rarely done. Additionally when, how, and what to discuss about SUDEP and reduce its risk is arbitrary, non-person centred, and with no structured evidence.Prior to initiating changes a discussion of SUDEP was recorded in just 10% of PWE. We introduced a check-list to help identify risk factors for SUDEP. We then modified the check-list, and then used it via telehealth, a way of contacting patients and their carers over the phone using the check-list approach. Following interventions, discussions of SUDEP are now recorded in 80% of PWE. Feedback from patients, carers and primary and secondary care professionals has been positive.We are now developing an app so that patients and carers can monitor their own risk factors, thus empowering them and increasing their knowledge and awareness of SUDEP.