Technical Tips: The Role of the Charge Neurodiagnostic Technologist.

The purpose of this strategic staffing study was to retrospectively evaluate the impact of the charge neurodiagnostic technologist (NDT) within a 24/7 pediatric NAEC Level IV, ABRET LAB-LTM accredited epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) during a 4-month pilot. The association between a high-reliability organization (HRO), Lean thinking, and organizational strategic goals were utilized as guiding principles. This paper reviews the operational need to further develop frontline neurodiagnostic leadership roles within Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago along with the design and implementation, training, and competencies required.

A comprehensive wireless neurological and cardiopulmonary monitoring platform for pediatrics.

Neurodevelopment in the first 10 years of life is a critical time window during which milestones that define an individual's functional potential are achieved. Comprehensive multimodal neurodevelopmental monitoring is particularly crucial for socioeconomically disadvantaged, marginalized, historically underserved and underrepresented communities as well as medically underserved areas. Solutions designed for use outside the traditional clinical environment represent an opportunity for addressing such health inequalities. In this work, we present an experimental platform, ANNE EEG, which adds 16-channel cerebral activity monitoring to the existing, USA FDA-cleared ANNE wireless monitoring platform which provides continuous electrocardiography, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, motion, and temperature measurements. The system features low-cost consumables, real-time control and streaming with widely available mobile devices, and fully wearable operation to allow a child to remain in their naturalistic environment. This multi-center pilot study successfully collected ANNE EEG recordings from 91 neonatal and pediatric patients at academic quaternary pediatric care centers and in LMIC settings. We demonstrate the practicality and feasibility to conduct electroencephalography studies with high levels of accuracy, validated via both quantitative and qualitative metrics, compared against gold standard systems. An overwhelming majority of parents surveyed during studies indicated not only an overall preference for the wireless system, but also that its use would improve their children's physical and emotional health. Our findings demonstrate the potential for the ANNE system to perform multimodal monitoring to screen for a variety of neurologic diseases that have the potential to negatively impact neurodevelopment.

Technical Tips: Restraint Use in Healthcare - What Neurodiagnostic Technologists Need to Know.

In healthcare, it is not uncommon for neurodiagnostic technologists to provide care and testing for patients who are in restraints or in need of restraints. When properly used, restraints ensure patient safety and the safety of others while allowing the continuation of life saving tests and treatments. Oversight for restraint use is provided by outside agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission (TJC). Improper use of restraints can lead to serious sanctions by both organizations and can negatively impact patients, leaving them with emotional and psychological trauma. The process of restraint management such as ordering, implementing, or monitoring restrained patients is not within the scope of practice for neurodiagnostic technologists. Restraints should only be utilized as a last resort for the safety of the patient to receive proper care. This paper seeks to inform Technologists on what does and does not constitute a restraint, and the factors that should be considered before making the decision to request use of restraints in order to perform neurodiagnostic testing.

ABRET Exam Development and Scoring.

The ABRET Neurodiagnostic Credentialing and Accreditation (ABRET) is the credentialing organization for the field of neurodiagnostic technology and has always embraced change and innovation within the testing industry. ABRET devotes significant time and resources to ensure that the processes used for technologist certification are of high quality, justifiable, and defensible. The importance of engaging stakeholders in the process of developing and scoring the board exams is recognized by ABRET. This development process is an inclusive one and reflects the current practice of neurodiagnostics. By sharing the details of how this process unfolds, ABRET hopes to address and clarify common assumptions and misconceptions. ABRET acknowledges that the examination process can be intense and laborious at times, but the end objective is well worth the journey.

Reinventing ABRET.

It has been five years since The Neurodiagnostic Journal published the article, "ABRET: A Historical Review: Building the Future on a Strong Foundation" (Walbert and Ahn-Ewing 2009). Since that time, ABRET has been busy. With acknowledgment and honor ABRET recognizes where it has been. The combined experience of the past allows ABRET to proactively and creatively look at ways to maintain relevancy in the continuously evolving field of neurodiagnostics. Many outstanding technologists and physicians from both the past and present have successfully placed ABRET in a position where it can explore new opportunities for growth and exam development. This article will focus on the exciting initiatives that ABRET is developing not only for implementation now, but into the future as well.