Quality & safety · Core
Write a clinically useful report
From findings to an impression
Separate measurements, inferences and limitations.
01Context and findings
- Record the clinical question, relevant history/examination, skin temperature and important acquisition conditions.
- List nerves, sides, sites, distances, parameters and references for NCS, and muscles with findings for needle EMG.
02Order the impression
- Start with normality and localization, then physiology, severity and active/chronic features.
- For example, describe a right median wrist lesion and use SNAP, CMAP and needle findings to explain whether axonal loss is supported.
03Negative findings and limitations
- State limitations from sampling, pain, cold or technical difficulty.
- A negative conclusion must match what was tested; it cannot exclude every neuromuscular disorder.
Pause and explain
Explain in your own words: “Answer the clinical question clearly rather than listing terminology alone.” Then think of a situation in which it could be misinterpreted.
Show a review prompt
Without needle sampling, do not claim a complete exclusion of radiculopathy or myopathy.
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References and further reading
- Basic Electrodiagnostics for the Referring Physician ↗AAPM&R KnowledgeNow · Society educational review · Link accessed 2026-09-08
Educational synthesis; independent neuromuscular specialist review is pending. Publication dates and compilation dates are distinct. This is an original teaching synthesis; consult the source for complete methods and criteria.