What patients can expect

Epiom case assignment is always ordered by your surgeon. Our team of technologists will prepare you for monitoring services prior to your surgery. The technologists assigned to your case will meet you before you are taken into the OR.

There will be an introduction and a summary of the modalities that the surgeon has requested to be conducted. The technologists will go over your patient rights and a “consent to treat” document that will require your signature. Also, the technologists will ask you medical and surgical history questions that will be submitted into the IONM medical records report for interpreting physician use.

You will then have some sticky pad electrodes placed on your extremities over specific nerve stimulation sites, usually at the ankles and the wrists. Once you are transported to the OR and positioned for surgery under anesthesia maintenance, additional electrodes will be placed on you to complete the recording set-up.

Once the surgery is complete and all IONM testing is concluded, our technologists will remove all stimulating and recording electrodes from your body. Other than minimal skin irritation, IONM testing is virtually painless.

WHAT IS INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROMONITORING?

Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IOM) is used to evaluate the functional integrity of the nervous system with the goal of improving the patient’s surgical outcome. During surgery, data is collected from the patient’s brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves to provide surgeons with real-time assessment of the patient’s neurophysiological condition. This reduces risk to their nervous system by informing the surgeons decision to stop or reverse actions in order to prevent or reduce neurologic damage.

DO I NEED NEUROMONITORING FOR MY SURGERY?

Neuromonitoring has become part of the standard of care for surgeries that potentially place elements of the nervous system at risk. EPIOM works each surgeon to tailor a specific monitoring strategy for each procedure that will provide comprehensive coverage for the structures at risk.

HOW MUCH DO YOUR SERVICES COST?

We understand that neuromonitoring is a costly service and wish to relieve our patients of financial burden as much as possible. Our charges will appear on the explanation of benefits from your insurance carrier; however, this is not a bill. With your permission we will discuss the appropriate reimbursement for our services with your insurance carrier. If you have any questions regarding our billing, please contact our office.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT THE DAY OF MY SURGERY?

Your technologist will meet with you in the preoperative area to discuss the monitoring strategy for your surgery. The technologist will review any relevant medical history and assess your current neurologic condition. During this time the technologist will receive your written consent for our services and can answer any additional questions you may have.