Key result
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is effective in detecting neurological damage during surgery, but its implementation requires careful risk management to navigate associated medico-legal liabilities in the US.
This paper outlines legal strategies and risk management precautions for healthcare providers adopting intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in the USA.
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, known by the acronym IONM, is a method for monitoring and recording the inner neurological activity of a patient undergoing surgery. When using conventional means of monitoring, neurological damage during surgery may go undetected. IONM prevents this by indicating what is going on within a patient, often in real time, enabling surgeons to change course during surgery. Although IONM offers benefits, its use should not be undertaken without regard to the legal and regulatory issues involved. These include contractual, malpractice, and products liability concerns. In the USA, where healthcare providers are seen as 'deep pockets', these issues must be approached with due care. Healthcare risk-management professionals should take precautions that ensure IONM use will be efficacious and utilised in a manner that minimises the risks inherent in the introduction of new technologies into heavily litigated fields. This paper provides professionals with legal strategies for accomplishing this task.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Wiggins et al. (2013) conducted a review in Neurological damage during surgery. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) vs. Unaided surgery (conventional monitoring) was evaluated. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is effective in detecting neurological damage during surgery, but its implementation requires careful risk management to navigate associated medico-legal liabilities in the US.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: