by Rebecca N. Revell, RN, BSN, CCDS
Nearly all remote monitoring equipment allows patients or caregivers to send patient-initiated, or manual transmissions. For some implanted cardiac devices, patient-initiated transmissions are the only way that the remote monitoring equipment sends information to the doctor’s office. This is because some pacemakers and defibrillators do not contain the newer technology that allows information to send automatically. These implanted devices are called ‘non-wireless,’ meaning they cannot send your cardiac device’s information without your assistance.
If you have one of the following implanted cardiac devices, your home monitor is non-wireless and cannot send your information automatically. You will need to send your device transmission on a set schedule:
Devices with non-wireless remote monitoring:
Medtronic: Micra, Versa, Adapta, Advisa, Revo, Consulta, Sensia, Syncra, Viva
Boston Scientific: Emblem
Abbott: Endurity
If your implanted cardiac device is non-wireless, there are some important take-aways you need to know.
- When you or your cardiac device has a problem, or the battery dies, your doctor will not know unless you send a transmission or have the device checked in the office. This means that regular follow-up, either remote or in-clinic, is very important for your health and safety. Many measurements can change in a short time.
- Your home monitor still receives updates from the manufacturer, even though it is not communicating with you. Your monitor equipment should remain plugged in to power and either a phone line or cellular adapter so that it can stay up-to-date and ready to use.
- Your remote follow-ups occur on a routine schedule. Most non-wireless device patients should send a remote transmission to their doctor every 91 days. Some patients may be instructed to send more frequently to monitor for certain health or device conditions. You should follow your routine schedule, even if your device was recently checked in the office, unless instructed by your doctor. Remote and in-person device checks are used for different purposes and may follow different schedules.
- If you send an extra remote transmission outside of your routine schedule, it is important to call your doctor’s office and let them know why. Extra remote transmissions may be sent if you are not feeling well or if you suspect something is wrong. Notifying your doctor that you transmitted and sharing symptoms that prompted the transmission will help them to prioritize your transmission.
- If your doctor’s office works with PaceMate as their remote monitoring partner, PaceMate will help manage your routine remote monitoring schedule. You will receive a call from PaceMate on the day you are scheduled to send a transmission. It is important to send your transmission as soon as possible after receiving this message. If you have already sent one recently, it may have been received too early, and so another transmission is needed to keep you on schedule.
- If your phone number changes, please notify PaceMate and your doctor’s office to ensure you continue to receive calls from us.
For more information on how to send your patient-initiated transmission and find your specific remote monitoring equipment user guide and manufacturer manual, use this LINK. Find answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about remote monitoring and how it works HERE. You can also receive live support Monday – Friday 8AM-7PM through our patient support line at 66-PACEMATE Option 1.