What artifact type can compromise data integrity during monitoring?

60 Hz interference is a significant artifact type that can compromise data integrity during monitoring. This form of interference typically originates from electrical equipment in the operating room or surrounding environment, such as lights and other electronic devices that operate at a frequency of 60 Hz in regions where the electrical supply is standard. The presence of this interference can mask or distort the true neurophysiological signals being recorded, leading to inaccurate readings and interpretations.

When monitoring neurophysiological data, it's crucial to maintain a clean signal to accurately assess the patient's neurological status. 60 Hz interference can create complications by introducing periodic noise that obscures the critical components of the desired signal, making it challenging to observe any true changes or abnormalities in the patient's neurophysiological condition. Addressing this interference often requires specific filtering techniques and careful setup of equipment to ensure optimal signal clarity.

Other artifacts like baseline noise, popping sounds from electrodes, and patient movement also affect data integrity, but 60 Hz interference is particularly notorious for introducing systematic noise that is challenging to differentiate from actual biological signals, thus having a profound impact on the reliability of the monitoring data.