What is the purpose of taking baselines in IONM?

Establishing pre-operative conditions is crucial in intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) as it provides a reference point for evaluating the patient's neural function before any surgical intervention begins. Baseline data is collected to capture the patient's neurological status and identify any pre-existing anomalies that could affect monitoring during surgery. These baselines are essential as they allow the clinical team to detect any changes in neural function as a result of surgical manipulation or other interventions during the procedure. By comparing intraoperative data against these established baselines, clinicians can make informed decisions about patient safety and potential complications, leading to timely interventions if necessary.