What is one effective way to reduce EKG-related artifact during monitoring?

Employing signal averaging is an effective method to reduce EKG-related artifact during monitoring. This technique involves taking multiple measurements over a short period and averaging them to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. By averaging, transient artifacts that occur intermittently are minimized, allowing the underlying physiological signals to be more clearly identified. This can be particularly beneficial in intraoperative settings where movement and other electrical noise can create significant interference with the EKG readings.

While other options might seem reasonable, they do not address the specific challenge of transient noise reduction as effectively as signal averaging. Lower gain settings may reduce the overall strength of the signal and make it difficult to detect important physiological changes. Increasing the skin contact area might help with impedance, but it does not inherently reduce the noise that can contaminate the signal. Utilizing thicker electrodes could potentially introduce additional noise rather than reduce it, as thicker electrodes may not conform as well to the skin and can increase motion artifact.

By focusing on signal averaging, practitioners can enhance the clarity and reliability of EKG monitoring, which is crucial for successful intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring.