Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (NIOM). On the following pages you
will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this service.
Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring Patient Information
1 Garret Mountain Plaza Suite #801 Woodland Park, NJ 07424 Phone: 973-345-4111 Fax: 973-345-4119 www.accuratemonitoring.net
Dear Patient,
Your surgeon wants to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome from your surgery. As part of a comprehensive strategy designed to obtain the best possible results for you, your surgeon has decided to incorporate the use of Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (NIOM). On the following pages you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about this service. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
Yours in Health, The Accurate Monitoring Team
What is NIOM? NIOM is one of a whole host of safety measures that will be utilized during your surgery. Just like your anesthesia team will be monitoring your heart beat, blood pressure, temperature and other bodily functions, NIOM will be monitoring your nerve function.
NIOM is performed by a trained technologist, using computerized equipment that is specifically designed to perform nerve monitoring. Small electrodes are placed over nerves and/or muscles in your body and then connected to this computer. The computer gently stimulates the nerve(s) in one area of your body, and records the signals that are generated in another area. This tells the technologist and your surgeon how fast your nerves are carrying signals and how strong those signals are.
Typically, signals start to be recorded shortly after you are anesthetized. Subsequent recordings are compared to the initial recordings and significant deviations are reported to your surgeon immediately. Your surgeon will then incorporate this information into his or her decision making process.
Are There Any Risks? NIOM is a painless, non-invasive procedure with little to no risk. The specific type(s) of monitoring that your surgeon chooses to use will determine what risks if any exist. The incidence of such risks has been reported to be EXTREMELY LOW. However, as with any procedure, the risks versus the benefits must be carefully considered. You should discuss any concerns that you may have with your surgeon.
Will My Insurance Cover This? Because your surgeon has deemed intraoperative monitoring to be a necessary component of your surgery, the fees for intraoperative monitoring will be submitted to your health insurance carrier. In some circumstances, the hospital may have a contractual obligation to pay for this service.
What can I Expect on the Day of my Surgery? Prior to your surgery, one of our technologists will introduce himself or herself to you in the operating room holding area. There, they will answer any questions you may have before asking you to sign a consent for our services. He or she will then place electrodes on the surface of your skin over nerves and/or muscles that are going to be monitored during your surgery.
Is NIOM New? No, NIOM has been in use since the 1960’s. Since then,
Our technologist will be present in the operating room
extensive research and advances in technology have allowed
throughout the duration of your surgery or until
NIOM to be successfully incorporated into many different types
dismissed by your surgeon. Our technologist will be
of surgeries. Today, the use of NIOM is wide spread and some
recording data virtually continuously and reporting the
even consider it a standard of care for certain surgeries. Some
status of this data to your surgical team. Monitoring
of the more commonly monitored surgeries are as follows:
usually begins shortly after you “go to sleep” and
Anterior cervical discectomy (ACDF) Spinal fusions with pedicle screws Brain and spinal cord tumor resections Thyroidectomy Hip surgery
Carotid Endarterectomy
concludes shortly before you “wake-up” from anesthesia.
Who is Accurate Monitoring, LLC? Accurate Monitoring is the group that your surgeon has chosen to perform NIOM during your surgery. Accurate Monitoring is one of the largest providers of intraoperative monitoring in the New York/New Jersey area. Their talented staff of technologists has many years of experience monitoring thousands of surgeries with hundreds of surgeons. For more information, please visit:
www.accuratemonitoring.net Email:
[email protected] Are There Any Risks? NIOM is a painless, non-invasive procedure with little to no risk. The specific type(s) of monitoring that your surgeon chooses to use will determine what risks if any exist. The incidence of such risks has been reported to be EXTREMELY LOW. However, as with any procedure, the risks versus the benefits must be carefully considered. You should discuss any concerns that you may have with your surgeon.
Will My Insurance Cover This? Because your surgeon has deemed intraoperative monitoring to be a necessary component of your surgery, the fees for intraoperative monitoring will be submitted to your health insurance carrier. In some circumstances, the hospital may have a contractual obligation to pay for this service.
BECAUSE YOUR SURGEON DEMANDS THE BEST RESULTS!
