2-Day Hands-On Diagnostic Training in Electromyography (EMG) and NCVS Studies for Physicians and Mid-Level Providers.
NCV Training courses are designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how to integrate nerve conduction studies into your practice. The NCV/EMG Training Program is designed for physicians and other licensed healthcare professional wishing to learn how to perform these tests and certify themselves in the procedures. The 2-Day AAOPM NCV/EMG Training workshop will expand your basic clinical knowledge base in the diagnosis, evaluation, and testing of various neuromuscular and peripheral nervous system disorders.
The AAOPM Nerve Conduction Velocity Studies and EMG training is performed in a small group setting, our faculty staff of Board Certified physicians and Specialists provide you with a quality learning experience that will equip you to readily understand nerve conduction studies utilizing the latest technology and procedures. Upon completion of the program, attendees will develop knowledge of neuroanatomy and electrophysiological norms so they can perform the appropriate electrodiagnostic testing and interpret results.
EMG Testing during Hands-On Session
In addition to the in-depth training, the NCV/EMG course consists of educating physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals in the following areas:
- Regulatory guidelines for NCV and EMG procedures
- Billing and coding for insurance reimbursement
- Improved insight into indications, anatomy, and physiology of nerve conduction studies and needle EMG.
- Perform specific tests and conditions associated with findings and to perform these tests based upon “standards of care” thus enhancing and improving patient care.
- Patient Histories, physical examination, timing of testing, typical studies, and a review of the equipment and technologies to perform electrodiagnostic studies safely and effectively.
AAOPM’s NCV and EMG Training Workshop consists of both didactic and hands-on training performing the procedures for testing. The course includes protocols, color manual, detailed illustrations, testing forms, and intake forms. The supervised hands-on portion of the program consists of attendees performing the most common types of testing for the various anatomical areas as well as the ability to learn the “pearls” associated with the tests over the 2-Day workshop. All attendees will need to show proficiency in performing these tests prior to successfully complete the certification training.
NCV Testing during Training
Pathways for Further Training
We want you to be successful with the addition of NCV and EMG procedure options within your practice, which is why we strive to offer the best resources to further your education. We make additional lessons available in business and marketing strategies, as well how to properly price the procedures, ensuring your success. 1-Day or 2-Day Preceptorship Training with our faculty at your medical practice is also available and offered to further your skills in performing the NCV/EMG procedures.
In addition, we offer customized Training Webinars in conjunction with various manufacturers and in-house that provide detailed business training and can be viewed prior or upon completion of the NCV/EMG Course. Check out the schedule on our site for upcoming the available webinar times and dates.
Coding & Billing Disclaimer: AAOPM provides basic information on coding and billing for various medical procedures discussed including ICD-10(s) and CPT Codes. These are only general guidelines and the American Academy of Procedural Medicine does not attest that the information provided is complete or current with Local Medicare Policies and/or private insurance billing and insurance policy guidelines.
Objectives for NCV Training - EMG Training Course
Upon the successful completion of the NCV / EMG Training Course, attendees should be able to perform the following:
- Develop the ability to use diagnostic NCV/EMG technologies to improve the practitioner's Knowledge and Technical Skills to provide enhanced care to patients indicated with potential nerve injuries and pain pathologies.
- Observe and be able to perform EMG and NCV tests and interpret the results as well as communicate these results from the EMG and NCV examinations to others.
- Develop better knowledge of the physiology of the nerve, peripheral nervous system anatomy, and compound motor action potential.
- Gain a full understanding and learn the basics of NCVS, NCV Testing, and interpretation of the results including:
- Sensory Nerve NCV Testing: normal values, interpretation, and basic testing techniques for sural, median, ulnar, and other sensory nerves.
- Motor Nerve NCV Testing: normal values, interpretation, and basic testing techniques for median, ulnar, peroneal, tibial, and other motor nerves.
- F wave, H wave, A wave, and late responses.
- Gain a full understanding and learn the basics of EMG, EMG Testing, and interpretation of results including:
- Fasciculation contractions affecting muscle fibers
- Motor Unit Potential Morphology (Normal vs Abnormal)
- Needle Placement Technique and Safety
- Fibrillation Potentials (spontaneous action potential)
- Sharp wave Potential (Positive) – peripheral nerve injury
- Gain knowledge of the various pain pathologies and diseases associated with NCV and EMG Testing for diagnostic purposes including radiculopathies, plexopathy disorders, myopathies, and various neuropathies.
DAY 1 - 8:30am–9:00am
Registration
9:00am–9:45am
Speaker Introduction, Overview of Medical Need, Possible Patient Indications for Testing, and the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography Testing within your present medical or pain management practice. Review what will be presented over the (2) day hands-on course
9:45am-10:30am
General Principles and Definitions for Nerve Conduction Testing and Studies, Indications (Pathologies) for Treatment, Patient Selection, History and Physical Exam Considerations (i.e. MRI/CT/X-ray), Contraindications for Electrodiagnostic (NCVS and EMG) Testing, and Frequency of Testing. Technical aspects, technicians, analysis, quality assurance. Review of technologies, manufacturers (pricing), and supplies needed as well as report writing functionality.
10:30am–10:45am
Break
10:45am–12:00pm
Localization of neural pain pathologies, types of nerves studies, (3) types of testing response, Acute Conduction Block, Errors in Testing, and Motor and Sensory Potentials. Review definitions for F-Waves, H-Waves, Blink Reflex, and Supramaximal Stimulation (Repetitive Stimulation). Introduction to EMG Testing and the EMG Needle Exam, Definitions and Indications for EMG Needle Studies, and review of sample EMG Findings.
12:00pm–1:00pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:00pm–1:45pm
Review definitions of EMG, Spontaneous Activity, EMG Potentials, EMG Discharges, Normal EMG Activity, and Lower, Upper, and Myogenic Lesions. Review of Nerve Conduction Studies for Upper and Lower Extremity – Motor Studies including normal values, abnormalities, screen characteristics, learning “pearls”, test time allocation, benefits of testing, and types of nerve injuries (i.e. Wallarian Degeneration) for the procedures.
1:45pm—3:00pm
Basics for Nerve Conduction Studies, neuroanatomy, velocity, amplitude, latency, wave of depolarization, wave analysis, definitions and terms, and general anatomy. Basic Motor nerve studies, specific tests for upper and lower extremities, protocols for specific tests including patient markings, stimulator placement, and interpretation.
3:00pm–3:15pm
Break
3:15pm—5:15pm
Hands-on Training for Upper Extremity Nerve Conduction Studies: Median Nerve sensory/motor, Ulnar Nerve sensory/motor, Radial Nerve sensory studies, and F-Wave studies.
5:15pm–5:30pm
Questions and Answers with Faculty
DAY 2 - 8:30am–8:45am
Registration.
8:45am–9:30am
Documentation Requirements, Pretesting Considerations, Positioning of Patients, and review of Billing & Coding including CPT Codes and the latest ICD-10 codes.
9:30am-10:30am
Hands-on Training for Lower Extremity Nerve Conduction Studies: Superficial Peroneal Nerve sensory/motor studies, Sural Nerve sensory studies, Posterior Tibial Nerve motor studies, F Wave and H reflex studies.
10:30am–10:45am
Break.
10:45am–12:30pm
Continuation of Hands-On Training for Lower Extremity Nerve Conduction Studies: Superficial Peroneal Nerve sensory/motor studies, Sural Nerve sensory studies, Posterior Tibial Nerve motor studies, F Wave and H reflex studies.
12:30pm–1:30pm
Lunch (on your own)
1:30pm–2:30pm
Electromyography Basics, Definitions, Supplies, When is it Used, and Diagnostic Capabilities. Review General Anatomy of Nervous System, Dermatomes, and Muscular System. Needle evaluation of the muscle, observation, activity at insertion or rest, and interpretation of motor unit activity guidelines and results. Overview indications for use of EMG for Upper Extremities, Lower Extremities, frequencies, need for accuracy, and technology options available (i.e. Report Writing, Supplies, Combination Units, Pricing).
2:30pm—3:30pm
Hands-on Training for Lower Extremity and Upper Extremity EMG Testing. Muscle group testing for most common pathologies and technique, operation, and expectations from the procedure. Focus is placed on proper administration of the procedure, insertion of needle, reviewing results though the test patients most likely do not suffer from muscle abnormalities.
3:30pm–4:00pm
End of Program. Questions and answers with Faculty
DISCLAIMER: The following is a summary of the course agenda. The full course agenda will be emailed to you a few days prior to the course. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact our office.