Piedmont Rockdale expands advanced neurological care with new continuous EEG monitoring system

Conyers, Ga. (November 13, 2026) - Piedmont Rockdale Hospital has expanded its neurological and stroke care capabilities with the addition of a continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring system, made possible through a grant from Health TRUST Rockdale. The machine is now fully operational for patient care.

Health TRUST Rockdale is the grant-making division of the Hospital Authority of Rockdale County. The organization makes grants to nonprofit or government agencies working to improve the physical and mental health of Rockdale residents.

The new machine enables the hospital to provide around-the-clock EEG monitoring for patients experiencing seizures, hemorrhagic strokes, and other complex neurological conditions, allowing more patients to receive advanced care close to home.

"As the need for neurological services continues to grow in our community, this investment ensures more patients can access timely, specialized care without leaving Rockdale County," said Piedmont Rockdale CEO Monica Hum, MD. "We are grateful to Health TRUST Rockdale for supporting this important expansion, which strengthens our ability to diagnose and treat neurological conditions when every minute matters."

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, EEGs safely and painlessly record the brain's electrical activity. Unlike routine EEGs, continuous EEG monitoring is conducted over an extended period, typically 24 to 72 hours, allowing clinicians to observe brain activity in real time. These studies play a key role in detecting seizures, identifying complications from stroke and other neurological conditions, and capturing subtle changes in brain activity that may not be detected during a routine EEG. They also allow for real-time medical management in the critical care setting.

"The ability to provide continuous EEG monitoring enhances both the quality and timeliness of patient care," said Jessica Giangrande, MSN, RN, Piedmont Rockdale's stroke & EEG program manager. "By expanding our monitoring capacity, we're better equipped to quickly identify neurological changes and intervene sooner."

As the only provider in Rockdale County offering comprehensive continuous EEG monitoring, Piedmont Rockdale's expanded service helps reduce challenges associated with transferring patients to out-of-county facilities. Keeping patients local also allows emergency ground and air transport resources to remain available for other critical community needs.

The hospital expects to perform 100 continuous EEG studies by June 2027, eliminating the need for patients to be transferred out of the county.

Piedmont Rockdale has integrated the new EEG equipment into its neurology and critical care workflows and has dedicated EEG technologists, trained nursing staff, interpretation services, and physician support in place to ensure continuous operation. The expansion aligns with the hospital's ongoing investment in neurosciences, including a neurohospitalist program launched last year that provides daily on-site neurological care for hospitalized patients.

Jennifer Ro, M.D., one of the hospital's neurohospitalists, emphasized the importance of the new service. "Continuous EEG monitoring allows us to detect non-convulsive seizures that might otherwise go undiagnosed and potentially lead to permanent brain injury," she said. "By identifying these events earlier, we can begin treatment sooner and tailor care to each patient's unique needs."

Funding for the EEG system was provided through a grant from Health TRUST Rockdale, with additional support from employee giving and community donors. To learn how your support can make a lasting impact on healthcare in our community, visit give.piedmont.org/rockdale.