 
ECT at Sheppard Pratt
(Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy)
The Medical Department of Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital
6501 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21285
Phone: 410-938-3485
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.
Referral Process
Information for Patients and Families:
What You Need to Know
Information for Physicians:
Referring Psychiatrist Information
Outpatient ECT Referral
Order Outpatient Insurance Information
Meet Our Clinicians:
Send me more information
Contact the ECT Nurse Coordinator: Anita Hagin,
RN
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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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