
ECT at Sheppard Pratt
(Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy)
The Medical Department of Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital
6501 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21285
Phone: 410-938-3475
click here for directions
The Program
Sheppard Pratt Health System has more than 30 years of experience in the
delivery of ECT services and offers this treatment in accordance with the
American Psychiatric Association's standards. ECT is administered in Sheppard
Pratt's ECT suite on the Towson campus by specially credentialed psychiatrists.
ECT treatments can be administered on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Patients must have written orders for ECT treatment from their psychiatrist.
The Sheppard Pratt psychiatrist is available to the referrer and the patient's
family to discuss any questions about ECT which may arise.
Patient Population
ECT has been proven to be safe and can be highly effective for patients
suffering from mood \disorders, particularly major depression, who have not
responded to medication or psychotherapy. (ECT is most commonly administered to
treat major depression in patients who have not responded to medication).
The Procedure
ECT involves the administration of electrical shock to the brain of the patient
to induce a seizure.
The patient is anesthetized for the procedure. A muscle relaxant is
administered to assure that muscular contractions associated with the seizure
are mild. Once the patient is asleep, a carefully controlled amount of
electricity is passed between the two electrodes on the patient's head
producing a generalized seizure in the brain which lasts for approximately
30-50 seconds. When the procedure is complete and the anesthesia wears off, the
patient is transported to the recovery room for continued monitoring. The
procedure and recovery take approximately 45 minutes.
The number of treatments recommended is based on the individual patient's need
and response to the treatment. Many patients receive a total of six to twelve
treatments per episode of care.
Common Side Effects
ECT is a safe medical procedure when administered according to sound medical
practice and in adherence to appropriate preparatory guidelines. As with all
forms of medical treatment, some patients may experience some side effects.
These may include headache, muscle soreness, nausea, temporary irregularities
in heart rate, confusion and memory problems and in rare instances, damage to
fragile teeth.
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Click on the map for more information
6501 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, Maryland 21285
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Directions:
Sheppard Pratt is inside the Baltimore Beltway (Interstate 695) off of Exit 25.
After you are on the ramp for Exit 25, follow the signs for Charles Street (Rt
139). Proceed south on Charles Street approximately 2 & 1/2 miles. You will
see a sign designating a left turn into the Sheppard Pratt campus. Proceed on
Gatehouse drive passing the hospital buildings on your right, & make a
right up the driveway at Sullivan Drive. Proceed to the Weinberg East parking
lot on your right (adjacent to the B parking lot), & you may park in a
designated ECT parking space (or other available spaces). Enter the building
through the double doors & ECT suite is the first door on left.
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© 2003 Sheppard Pratt Health System All rights reserved.
Last modified:
Sheppard Pratt Health System
6501 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21285
410-938-3000
info@sheppardpratt.org
Web Site Maintained by Sheppard Pratt Health System
www.Sheppardpratt.org
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