Table 2:

EMG/NCS specific recommendations^2–4,6–13

Testing should be the minimum requirement for diagnosis and management including the number of conduction studies and/or the number of muscles assessed with needle EMG. When time-sensitive interventions or diagnostic accuracy is hinging upon EMG/NCS, these should be prioritized and performed using appropriate precautions.8 Examples include (but are not limited to) patients waiting for nerve transfers or those with suspected Guillain–Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Surgical mask and facial shield or goggles are considered satisfactory for the majority of EMG procedures. Although performing facial SFEMG is not considered an aerosolization maneuver, due to the proximity to involuntary sources of rapid exhalation (i.e., cough and sneeze) and the length of time exposed to the patient, a preference for using an N95 mask and facial shield or goggles seems reasonable based on individual risk assessment at the time.