A system (10) for performing somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during surgery comprises a stimulator (22) to deliver an electrical stimulation signal to a peripheral nerve, a sensor (24) to detect somatosensory responses evoked by the stimulation signal and a control unit (12) communicating with the stimulator and the sensor. The control unit is configured to direct transmission of the stimulation signal and receive the response data from the sensor. In addition, the control unit is configured to optimize signal parameters of the stimulation signal based on the response data, assess spinal cord health by identifying a relationship between the response to a first stimulation and to a second stimulation, the relationship being at least one of a change in latency and a change in amplitude between the first and second responses. The control unit is also configured to communicate the assessment to a user.