Cardiac Monitoring (Remote Monitoring)

Patients with implanted cardiac devices can be checked remotely from home.

What Is Remote Monitoring?

"Remote" because you don't need to be at your doctor's office to have your device checked. Instead, the remote system checks your device while you're at home.
"Monitoring" because the system can check your device often and alert your doctor if necessary (for example, if the battery power is low

The patient system uses a small piece of equipment, called a Communicator, to collect data from your device. The Communicator sits in your home. It plugs into a phone jack and power outlet, and fits easily on a nightstand. It has a short antenna, like those on cordless phones.

The Communicator automatically collects information from your device on a schedule set by your doctor. It then sends this information through the phone line to a secure website that your doctor can access with a password.

Some devices can be checked without you doing anything and others require you to activate the communicator to make the check. You simply hold a small wand over your implanted device, and the Communicator will tell you when to push the blue button to send your data. The average monitoring session takes about 10-15 seconds to complete, but may take longer if additional information needs to be collected.

What Information Is Sent?

1. Daily or weekly status checks with doctor alerts

2. Scheduled device follow-ups

3. Episodes of treatment from the device

How Is the Information Sent?

The Communicator sends the device data to your doctor through your phone line. The Communicator and your phone use the same phone line. If you are on the phone when the Communicator is scheduled to send data, the Communicator will wait until you hang up to do its job. So you can still make phone calls whenever you choose.

Each Company has their own system:

Boston-Scientific - Latitude