Neurophysiologic surgical monitoring staffing patterns in the USA.

Staffing patterns for intraoperative EEG and somatosensory evoked potential monitoring were assessed in a survey of 150 US board certified clinical neurophysiologists. Whether or not a clinical neurophysiology physician needs to be in the operating room throughout monitoring has been a point of disagreement and debate. The data here provide evidence that most US clinical neurophysiologists send non-physician staff to monitor EEG during carotid endarterectomies. Similar results were found for somatosensory evoked potential spinal cord monitoring during scoliosis procedures. By describing current staffing practices, these data can promote a more informed debate on this controversial topic.