MYCARELINK PATIENT MONITOR

It's a cell phone.

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-19 09:20:45

If your cell phone will work,  it probably will (may be different cell company). The instructions tell you how to set it up and run a test transmission. If it works,  you're good to go.

ask but...

by Tracey_E - 2018-09-19 09:50:54

I have the St Judes version that's cellular. I have it wrapped in a towel and shoved under my bed so I don't have it in my face when I wake up every morning. They said as long as it's within 10' of where I sleep, it's fine. Confirm, but Carelink should work the same. 

Up on top of chest of drawers...

by BOBTHOM - 2018-09-19 12:31:11

I have mine up on top of my chest of drawers as it was the most convenient place for me.  My bedroom is only 12' x 13' so still in that 10' range as bed is pretty much in the middle with headboard up against one wall.

location, location, location...

by ROBO Pop - 2018-09-19 15:46:37

Rest assured whether you wrap your Carelink in a towel and stuff it under TraceyE's bed or on BobThom's headboard it will not be even remotely close enough to pick up signals from your device. 

As Maxwell said, find a good spot for it, set it up and do a test transmission. If it doesn't work move it. 

Oddly enough.....

by BOBTHOM - 2018-09-20 07:37:42

Oddly enough, when the automatic transmission happens it's from 10' away but if I do a manual transmission, or at the dr's office, or the hospital, I have to hold the thingy over my device,  why is that?  Also makes you wonder if they can remotely activate the upload process what else can they have the device do remotely?  I suddenly feel so violated.

interrogation

by AgentX86 - 2018-09-20 09:25:51

I briefly looked into this once but may have forgotten the details (it varies from device to device and manufacturer to manufacturer) but as I recall, the Bluetooth enabled devices can only be interrogated over Bluetooth. Settings can only be changed via near-field communications. This is done for security reasons.

BTW, I have to put the puck on my chest to do a remote interrogation. They said they disabled Bluetooth on my PM but while configuring a new set of headphones, the other day, I noticed my pacemaker on the device list. Could have been someone else's,  I guess.

Bobthom

by Tracey_E - 2018-09-20 10:17:29

My understanding is the remote monitors can only send info, we have to be seen in person to make changes to the settings. I'm sure the technology is there to program them remotely but I've never heard of them doing it.

I felt like having the monitor was a violation and I hated it, until the first time it came in really handy. I had what turned out to be vertigo but when you're  paced and show up to the ER too dizzy to stand up the first thing they do is drag in a rep to check the pacer. This time I hit the button before I left the house so rather than waiting hours, the ER doc made a phone call. Another time I had a weird episode while working out, came home and hit the button, sent my doctor an email telling them what happened. No office visit needed.  I still don't particularly like having it, but I appreciate it now.

yep

by ROBO Pop - 2018-09-20 16:06:22

TraceyE is right, the monitor is only capable of transmitting. It is not the same as the unit they have at the Dr. office used to interrogate, load software, and change settings. 

Like Tracey I'm not fond of these but unfortunately I got one of the exploding battery CRT-D models. The Dr office agreed to call only if the device reports I'm dead. I would want to know so I can ignore my wife safely

No signal?

by MamaBear+ - 2018-09-21 00:09:22

I tried plugging the monitor in on my bedside table, my husband's table and a plug-in near the window. The display on the monitor had a magnifying glass moving back and forth between bars. I'm not sure where to place it for it to transmit. I guess I will have to give them a call about what to do.

Give them a call....

by BOBTHOM - 2018-09-22 00:38:12

Just give them a call and they'll walk you through an initial sending of the data.  When I first got mine I had left it unplugged for 2 months since it was scheduled to send every 3 months.  When I finally plugged it in the battery was dead on the hand thingy (I just like saying it that way).  Anyway, they sent me a new unit, walked me through a test send, and I've left it plugged in ever since.

Just a side note, if they can connect to the device and tell it to send the log they could theoretically tell it to do anything.  Not that they would and I'm sure they are not allowed to unless supervised by medical staff, but definately possible.  Maybe that's how they got ROBO pops battery to explode?

It works

by MamaBear+ - 2018-10-03 00:39:20

I ended up plugging it in and leaving it for a few hours. I was able to do the initial set up. It's on my dresser.