SAFETY, PROACTIVE MONITORING, BETTER OUTCOMES.

INTRAOPERATIVE MONITORING (IONM)

Why is this part of my surgery/procedure?

Intraoperative Monitoring is commonplace and many times the standard of care for the type of surgery or procedure. Your doctor may request IONM for several medical reasons including but not limited to: understanding your neurological baseline prior to the procedure, proactive feedback on neurological reactions during your procedure, optimal positioning of your body during the procedure, and improved procedure outcomes. Please speak to your doctor / surgeon if you have any questions.

Please help me understand all the different healthcare providers as part of my procedure?

Monitoring Concepts is a seamless part of the medical team. Depending on your medical procedure, a doctor/surgeon, anesthesiologist, Monitoring Concepts technician, and/or the medical facility /hospital all work as an integrated team to support your procedure.

What happens the day of my surgery?

Prior to your procedure, hospital staff will work to prepare you for surgery. During this time you will meet your Monitoring Concepts technician who will answer any questions you may have about IONM before asking you to sign a consent form.

Once in the operating room, our technicians will place tiny, non-invasive electrodes on the surface of your skin over nerves and/or muscles that will be monitored during the medical procedure. Usually, monitoring of the selected nerves and muscle areas begins shortly after you are anesthetized, and data is collected throughout the procedure. Your doctor / surgeon will incorporate the data we collect into his or her decision-making process

What are the risks?

A benefit of intraoperative monitoring is understanding a patient’s baseline prior to the surgery and proactive monitoring of the nerves during the procedure. IONM is a painless, non-invasive procedure with minimal risk. The incidence of any risks has been reported to be very 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 doctor / surgeon.

Who pays for the IONM services?

Your insurance carrier may pay for a portion of the costs associated with IONM. This amount depends on your specific carrier and your insurance plan. Generally, our services will be billed out of network. Please check with your insurance carrier to find out about coverage for intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). You may be responsible for payment of the difference; a patient bill will be sent to you if there is some portion responsible by you as the patient.

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ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY (EEG)

WHAT IS AN EEG?

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a medical procedure used to evaluate the electrical activity in the brain. Brain cells communicate with each other through electrical impulses. An EEG can be used to help detect potential problems associated with this activity. The test tracks and records brain wave patterns. Small, flat metal discs called electrodes are attached to the scalp with adhesive. The electrodes analyze the electrical impulses in the brain and send signals to a computer, where the results are recorded.

WHY AM I HAVING AN EEG?

Please consult with your doctor on why the EEG was ordered. Your doctor can explain the medical condition which is being diagnosed and how the information will be used to address your individual medical situation.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR AN EEG ?

Wash your hair the night before the EEG, and don’t put any products (such as sprays or gels) in your hair on the day of the test. Ask your doctor if you should stop taking any medications before the test. You should also make a list of your medications and give it to the technician performing the EEG. Avoid consuming any food or drinks containing caffeine for at least eight hours prior to the test.

WHAT HAPPENS THE DAY OF THE EEG?

An EEG measures the electrical impulses in your brain by using several electrodes that are attached to your scalp. An electrode is a conductor through which an electric current enters or leaves. The electrodes transfer information from your brain to a machine that measures and records the data. The Monitoring Concepts technician will put a sticky gel adhesive on approximately 15 - 25 electrodes and will then be attached to various spots on your scalp.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Please consult with your doctor. This is a very low risk procedure and it is non-invasive. It is a procedure used to diagnose another medical condition that is likely affecting you.

WHO PAYS FOR AN EEG?

Your insurance carrier likely pays for a portion of the costs associated with EEG. This amount depends on your specific carrier and your insurance plan. Please check with your insurance carrier to find out about your specific coverage. You may be responsible for payment of the difference; a patient bill will be sent to you if there is some portion responsible by you as the patient.

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