Medtronic Pacemaker Home Monitoring

(wireless monitor)

 

Your pacemaker is continuously monitoring its own function and analyzing your heart rhythm.

Information about the lead(s) and battery function is continuously recorded. This data is stored in your pacemakers memory. At routine clinic visits this information is retrieved from the pacemaker to guide decisions about your ongoing management. Generally this occurs every 6-12 months.

 

Your pacemaker is capable of sending this stored technical and medical information to a secure internet website via a monitor placed in your home. This data can then be reviewed by a  cardiac technologist and forwarded to your Cardiologist.

 

It is very important to note that remote monitoring is not an emergency service. It will notify us of pacemaker issues but is not a continuous 24 hour a day monitoring or alarm service.  In an emergency you must seek the appropriate medical care.

 

The following is some of the information that is transmitted:

- Battery longevity

- Lead integrity

- Device settings

- Cardiac arrhythmias, eg atrial fibrillation

- Heart rate profile, pacemaker use

 

FAQ’s

How does it work?

- The pacemaker records data continuously

- Once a day (usually around 3am) the pacemaker transmits any abnormal data to the monitor   

    wirelessly

- The website is reviewed daily by a pacemaker technologist

- Any abnormalities are reported to your doctor

 

Do I leave the monitor on all the time?

Yes, the monitor needs to be on all the time so that daily checks of your device can be performed.

 

What happens if my home loses power?

When the power returns to your home the monitor will turn itself back on and continue monitoring your device automatically.

 

What problems can the home monitor detect?

Pacemaker lead issues, abnormal heart rhythms, battery depletion.

 

How does RRM know my device has reported a problem?

If a device reports a problem an alert is sent to a staff member at RRM via an email and a text message. The website is also reviewed every day and every evening to ensure that no alert has gone undetected.

 

What happens when I am away from home for an extended period?

We suggest taking the monitor with you if you plan to be away for more than one month. RRM will attempt to contact you if there has been no communication with your pacemaker for 30 days.

For any  further information regarding your device or fees associated with the service please contact Nicholas Youngs on 0412 326 149.