Frequently Asked Questions
Do all surgeons use intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM)?
No. Although many procedures can benefit from neuromonitoring services, not all meet the criteria. Generally, surgeries posing a risk to the nervous system are considered candidates for use of IONM. If you are a patient and would like to know, consult with your surgeon.
Are surgeons required to use IONM?
With the exception of a few specific procedures, the decision of whether or not to utilize neuromonitoring is left up to the surgeon. Despite the increasing number of cases that involve neuromonitoring, there is no standard of medical practice that legally requires use of this protective service for most neurosurgical procedures.
I am part of a surgical team, how can I learn more about your services?
Peak Neurophysiology Group welcomes any and all questions from various healthcare providers and clinical staff. Please contact scheduling@peakneurogroup.com for more information.
What are the educational requirements to become a neurophysiologist?
Unfortunately there are NO standardized educational requirements for an intraoperative neuromonitoring clinician. Many IONM companies put individuals in the operating room after only a few weeks of training. At Peak, we hold our clinicians to a higher standard. Nearly all of our neurophysiologists hold advanced degrees in the health sciences and complete a rigorous year long fellowship in IONM. Additionally, while most companies consider the basic Certificate in Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring (CNIM) satisfactory for the majority of their employees, PNG staff are held to a higher standard. All PNG clinicians that meet the eligibility requirements for Professional Board Certification by the American Board of Neurophysiologic Monitoring (D.ABNM) are required to achieve this certification within three years of eligibility.
How can I learn more about IONM?
Please see our Resources page.