Check patient identity, age, state of alertness, and recording conditions
Review the montage and calibration settings
Assess background rhythm frequency and symmetry
Determine whether the posterior dominant rhythm is present and reactive
Evaluate amplitude, continuity, and organization of the background
Look for focal slowing or generalized slowing
Identify epileptiform discharges such as spikes, sharp waves, and spike-and-wave complexes
Note any periodic or rhythmic patterns
Assess for asymmetry between hemispheres
Check for artifacts including eye movement, muscle, movement, and electrode artifact
Review sleep features such as drowsiness, sleep spindles, and K-complexes
Correlate findings with clinical history and reason for the study
Summarize abnormalities by location, frequency, morphology, and state dependence
State the overall interpretation and clinical significance