Which of the following steps is NOT part of the IONM process?

The IONM (Intraoperative Neuromonitoring) process involves several critical steps to ensure the monitoring is effective and safe during surgical procedures. Patient assessment, equipment calibration, and documentation of findings are all integral components of this process.

Patient assessment is essential to understand the specific needs and conditions of the patient prior to surgery. It ensures the monitoring is tailored to the individual's medical history and surgical requirements.

Equipment calibration is necessary to ensure that the monitoring equipment is functioning correctly and providing accurate data throughout the surgical procedure. This step is vital for the reliability of the monitoring outcomes.

Documentation of findings throughout the procedure is crucial for maintaining a record of the neural function status and any changes that occur during surgery. This documentation serves both immediate clinical purposes and future reference for the medical team.

In contrast, post-operative imaging, while important in the overall patient management and care, is not a part of the IONM process itself. IONM is focused on real-time monitoring during the surgery to detect potential neural compromise, whereas post-operative imaging is conducted after the procedure is complete to assess outcomes and diagnose any complications that may arise.