IONM or IOM (intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring) is a medical service that uses a specialized computer system and electrodes to monitor specific information while a patient is having surgery. With the help of an experienced team of people, IOM is normally performed by technologists supervised by a physiologist, or a neurologist while a surgeon is performing the planned surgery. IOM is used in attempts to:
The use of IOM can not guarantee the complications listed above or others will not occur. However, if IOM service can reduce the possibility, the choice to use should be a decision you are a part of.
1. Is IOM FDA approved?
IOM devices are FDA-approved in the United States for use in numerous surgeries and are most commonly used by health and medical professionals during surgeries listed below:
2. Is IOM Safe?
The main goal of IOM is to make surgery safer from unintended damage. When a surgeon is allowed his or her choice of IOM technologist and service and when IOM techniques are performed correctly, IOM is safe.
3. Do insurance companies cover IOM?
Many insurance companies including Medicare cover IOM. Individual policies vary and pre-authorization may be required. The surgeon's office and IOM provider will coordinate with your insurance company.
4. Do all surgeons utilize IOM?
No. There are numerous reasons why a surgeon may not utilize IOM in surgery. Those reasons might include their lack of training or experience. Additionally, some hospitals do not allow a surgeon his or her choice of IOM technologist and service. In this case, the surgeon that would normally use IOM may decide not to because of a lack of confidence in the technologist or service mandated by the hospital. In other cases the type of surgery may not be benefited by IOM.
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