The world of healthcare is evolving — and more rapidly than ever before.
This new era of healthcare is marked by extensive clinical advances, particularly in surgery. Driven by the latest imaging technology, diagnostic tools, robotics and AI, minimally invasive techniques are expected to spark change over the coming years. As such, the general surgery market is projected to reach a value of $21 billion by 2024.[1]
With this rise in procedures, unforeseen neurological complications can — and will — arise during complex surgeries. And without the right safety measures in place, patient outcomes may suffer.
A proven safety net that protects a patient’s neuromuscular system during surgery, interoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) provides reliable and real-time feedback about a patient’s nervous system without the need for a wake-up test during complex procedures. IONM also enhances staff engagement during procedures: Clinicians are present in the operating room, allowing them to communicate with the anesthesia and surgical teams while also maintaining constant communication with board-certified remote supervising physicians.
But not all IONM providers are created equal. When choosing a solution, it’s important to evaluate the following criteria:
- Certification and credentials of clinicians and supervising physicians: IONM clinicians should possess — or be working towards — CNIM (Certification Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring) certification. Earning CNIM certification involves passing a wide-ranging neurophysiological monitoring exam offered by ABRET, a national credentialing board for neurodiagnostic clinicians.
- Accreditation: An IONM solution should be accredited by a nationally recognized organization.
- Quality assurance: Using multiple IONM partners can result in quality assurance inconsistencies. Are providers following best practice guidelines? Are all oversight physicians board certified? Routine evaluation is a critical component of any quality assurance program.
- Staff vetting: An IONM solution is only as good as its surgical neurophysiologists (SNPs) and board-certified supervising physicians. That’s why providers should ensure that SNPs and supervising physicians abide by all credentialing requirements of the hospital.
Proven commitment to patient safety, risk management
Since 2007, Neuro Alert has been setting the bar for ensuring patient safety during surgeries that place the central or peripheral nervous systems at risk. As a leading IONM provider, Neuro Alert’s surgical neurophysiologists and dedicated doctors are committed to patient safety and risk management. Neuro Alert brings together the key elements of technology and highly trained IONM clinicians to provide unsurpassed critical neuromonitoring and expert advice.
Neuro Alert provides healthcare institutions expertise, innovative technology and industry-leading IONM technical services. All of Neuro Alert’s reading physicians are board certified and have experience with thousands of surgical cases where the nervous system is put at risk.
By demonstrating continuous compliance with its nationally recognized standards, Neuro Alert is a recipient of The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Health Care Accreditation with zero deficits. The Gold Seal of Approval is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.
Trusted partner
Coverage is a top Neuro Alert priority. Depending upon volume and the facility’s level of care, the IONM provider maintains a local pool of qualified surgical neurophysiologists. Board-certified reading physicians are available 24/7 for all cases requiring IONM, and a full-time scheduling team is on call 24/7, along with a 24-hour answering service, to receive emergency calls, confirm booking details and immediately contact a local surgical neurophysiologist for dispatch.
Neuro Alert submits reports to the medical records department within 48 hours via email or fax or as required by the facility. Each report is routinely audited for accuracy and integrity to ensure the delivery of a quality medical record.
Neuro Alert meets with clinical staff regularly for in-services, grand rounds and other educational and professional development opportunities. Nursing staff frequently plays a vital role in these sessions, discussing and coordinating intraoperative monitoring topics such as risk mitigation and safety procedures with consulting IONM clinicians.
Interested in learning more about selecting the right IONM provider? Let’s talk. Health professionals today must focus on a continuum of care that sets them apart. A healthcare institution’s success rests upon the quality and consistency of the services it provides. By collaborating with facility partners, Neuro Alert’s data science programs challenge current operations to establish new solutions and processes and integrate evolving approaches that enhance patient care.
[1] https://www.globaldata.com/general-surgery-market-set-reach-21-6bn-2024/