If a 60-Hz artifact is present during physiologic calibrations, what should the technologist do?

When a 60-Hz artifact is present during physiologic calibrations, finding the source of the problem and correcting it before beginning the study is crucial for several reasons.

The presence of a 60-Hz artifact typically indicates electrical interference, often from sources such as fluorescent lights or electrical equipment in proximity to the patient. This interference can compromise the integrity of the physiological signals being recorded, leading to inaccurate data that could impact the diagnosis or treatment plan.

Identifying and resolving the source of the artifact ensures that the recordings made during the study are as clean and reliable as possible. If the artifact remains unaddressed, it could lead to misinterpretations of the patient's sleep patterns or other physiological states, potentially affecting the outcome of the study.

Addressing the issue proactively is preferable to waiting for it to potentially resolve on its own, as there is no guarantee that the artifact will diminish once the patient falls asleep. Introducing a notch filter can help mitigate the artifact, but it is generally more effective to eliminate the cause of the inference at the source wherever possible. Changing the signal derivation to a backup electrode may also not resolve the underlying issue and could create additional complications in the data interpretation later on.