Remote Monitoring
Combining technology with
world-class patient care.
By combining technology with world-class patient care and experience, we can monitor your heart no matter where you are. Through our remote monitoring service, we are able to provide peace of mind that your heart is being monitored, even when you’re not seeing a cardiologist in person.
Whether out enjoying time with your family, or in the comfort of your own home, we take care of your heart so that you can focus on living.
What is device remote monitoring?
What is device remote monitoring?
Cardiac device remote monitoring allows implanted devices (such as pacemakers and defibrillators) to be monitored and checked remotely, without a patient needing to attend a clinic. This is done using mobile network coverage, a standard telephone landline connection or a wireless internet service, depending on the monitor type.
Improvements in pacemakers and defibrillators mean that the latest devices and monitors are very sophisticated. If they are wireless, they will automatically check that your implanted device is working properly every day while you sleep. Once remote monitoring is set up, there’s usually nothing else for you to do unless you hear from us.
What are the benefits of Advara HeartCare’s remote monitoring service?
What are the benefits of Advara HeartCare’s remote monitoring service?
You want to get on with your life, whether that means spending time with family or going for a walk with the dog. Remote monitoring means you spend less time in clinics and more time getting on with the things you want to do. We monitor your device remotely, and we can let you know if or when you need to come in for a check-up.
Remote monitoring is primarily designed to make it safer and more convenient for you and your cardiologist to manage your heart condition and device.
Note that a ‘device’ is the implanted equipment that works to keep your heart functioning. The ‘monitor’ refers to the equipment that checks and transmits information about your device.
Traditionally, patients need an in-clinic (i.e. face-to-face) follow-up every six to 12 months to verify the integrity of the device and, if necessary, to make any changes to the device’s settings.
Unlike traditional monitoring the current generation of devices and remote monitors:
- Increase the speed of critical information reaching your cardiologist, including faster transmission of alerts
- Save you the time and hassle of multiple clinic visits
How does it work?
How does it work?
We provide our remote monitoring services in conjunction with our partner CardioNexus.
The combined service seamlessly connects you and your Advara HeartCare cardiologist, with CardioNexus’ expert technicians and support team.
If you have a wireless monitor, this works as follows:
If your monitor is not wireless, the process is slightly different (see below).
As well as continuously monitoring and regulating your heart’s rhythm, your device also stores information about your heart’s performance (e.g. heart rate, normal and abnormal rhythms, etc.), as well as the performance and integrity of the device itself (e.g. battery life, lead function, etc.).
When a monitor records the information stored in your device, it can then “talk” with a special computer using the mobile network (most commonly), or a standard telephone landline or wireless internet service. The information available from the device manufacturer’s Remote Monitoring Network is essentially the same as the information which is available from your implanted device during a routine in-clinic visit.
You do not need access to a computer or mobile phone to use this service. You only need to have mobile network coverage, a standard telephone landline connection or a wireless internet service. The type of connection you can use will be discussed when you see your cardiologist at the first visit after your implant procedure.
Types of monitors
There are two types of monitors:
Patient Portal
You can also access a Patient Portal (provided by CardioNexus). Through the patient portal, you can view the battery life and transmission status. It is also one of the many ways you can contact your care team. You do not however need to use the Patient Portal if you don't wish to (and you can receive our remote monitoring services without using this).
Important information:
- The remote monitoring service is not an emergency information (or treatment) system and is not monitored 24 hours a day. In an emergency or in case of any type of medical complaint, notify your cardiologist or GP immediately or call 000 as appropriate. Do not try to send information or transmissions via your monitor.
- Your monitor should only be used when you are instructed by your care team to do so
- Your care team will only evaluate data during standard office hours, and will contact you if necessary
- The remote monitoring service does not totally replace the need for standard in-clinic (i.e. face-to-face) follow-up visits, which may be necessary from time to time e.g. to maintain optimal device performance