Preparing for the Wada Test

The test will be administered at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. You’ll spend approximately 8-10 hours at the hospital. This includes pre-procedure testing and recovery. Please arrange for transportation home.

• You should report directly to the main desk at the time requested. You will have a continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) during this test. Small electrodes will be placed on your scalp in the EEG lab prior to the Wada test.
• After the EEG is placed (approximately one hour), you will be taken to the testing location. A nurse will register you and you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will need to remove jewelry, earrings and dentures prior to the procedure. Please consider leaving your valuables at home.
• The neurosurgeon and neuropsychologist will see you and obtain consent.
• When ready to perform the procedure, you will be taken to the Interventional Radiology area to have the angiogram.