Responsibilities
of an Electrodiagnostic Technologist
POSITION STATEMENT
(Muscle Nerve 22: Supplement 8: S17-S18, 1999)
An electrodiagnostic medicine (EDX) technologist
shall always work under the direct supervision and direction of a physician
fully qualified in the practice of electrodiagnostic medicine, i.e., an
EDX consultant, as defined by the guidelines of the American Association
of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AAEM). EDX technologists may perform whatever
tasks necessary to improve the speed, efficiency, quality, and cost effectiveness
of an EDX study, but shall not independently design the study or interpret
the data. The specific test procedure and interpretation of the data must
be decided by the EDX consultant. In addition, the technologist shall
not interpret any of the primary data, either responses to electric stimulation
or activity on needle recording.
The specific duties which an EDX technologist
may perform fall into the following categories: patient handling, nerve
conduction studies (NCSs), needle electromyography (EMG), examination,
equipment, and clerical.
Patient Handling
The technologist may explain the test to
the patient prior to the study and discuss any questions or uncertainties
regarding it. In so doing, the technologist should reassure and calm the
patient, especially children. The technologist may obtain and record basic
patient information, such as age, problems, immediate needs, medications
being taken, allergies, sensitivities, and previous studies. Pertinent
physical characteristics may be noted, such as, deformities, atrophy,
or lower extremity temperatures.
The technologist may prepare the patient
for the study by assisting in the removal of clothing, dressing, braces
and such, if directed to do so by the physician. Skin temperature may
be taken by the technologist and the patient warmed, if necessary. The
patient may be positioned for the study, and oral medication administered
as directed by the EDX consultant.
Nerve Conduction Studies
The technologist may prepare the limbs for
NCSs by washing, drying, abrading, and immobilizing as needed. Recording
electrodes may be placed in the appropriate locations indicated by the
EDX consultant for the NCSs. Stimulating electrodes may be similarly applied
and shocks administered to elicit the evoked responses. Appropriate measures
should be taken to reduce shock artifact and twitch responses observed
and described. Measurements may be made of distances between landmarks
and electrodes, amplitudes and latencies of evoked responses, and skin
temperatures. The responses and measurements may be recorded on film,
magnetic tape, or on direct writing paper for subsequent calculations
and study. All responses not directly observed by the EDX consultant must
be recorded in the original form for the consultant’s review. The
EDX consultant must be immediately available and present in the area to
review any problems that develop during the NCSs. Photographs on film
may be processed and pre-pared for permanent storage with the patient’s
record. The technologist should be sure the patient remains in the room
until the supervising physician has reviewed the NCS results.
Needle Electromyography Examination
The technologist may position the patient
and assist in obtaining relaxation or cooperation for the needle EMG examination.
Needles may not be inserted by the technologist. Data may be recorded
by the technologist in written form, on tape recordings, or in photographs.
Any written descriptions of needle electrode recordings are interpretations
and must be written only as dictated by the EDX consultant.
Equipment
The technologist may prepare the electrodes
and clean and sterilize them after use. Electrode quality may be checked
microscopically and by impedance measurements. Electromyographic equipment
may be calibrated, maintained, and set up as needed for specific studies.
Maintenance and operation of sterilization equipment may also be duties
of a technologist. In addition, the technologist may be responsible for
care and maintenance of emergency equipment, such as artificial ventilators
and emergency medications.
Clerical
An EDX technologist may assume a number of
secretarial or clerical duties in addition to the more technical duties.
These may include making appointments, typing and filing reports, and
classifying data by diagnosis or other categories for subsequent retrieval.
Records may be kept of special studies and graphs or charts plotted of
such studies. Additional duties may include: preparing charges for studies,
obtaining outside records or histories prior to the study, obtaining special
reports, such as of nerve or muscle biopsies after needle EMG examination,
maintaining and ordering supplies, and having all materials in good condition
and ready for use when needed.
Approved by the American Association of
Electrodiagnostic Medicine: February 1998.
Endorsed by the American Association of
Electrodiagnostic Technologists: August 1998. |
