User's Manual

Optimizing ECG Measurement Performance
ECG Monitoring
6-29
Optimizing ECG Measurement Performance
WarningWarning
Telemetry should not be used for primary monitoring in applications
where the momentary loss of the ECG is unacceptable.
No matter how good a wireless network design is, a telemetry system will
always experience occasional loss of radio communications, resulting in ECG
waveform dropouts. A telemetry system will never be as reliable as a hardwired
bedside monitor that transmits its signal through a wire. If occasional loss of
ECG monitoring is not acceptable for certain patients, they should be connected
to a hardwired bedside monitor.
Smart Hopping technology alleviates most of the problems associated with
legacy telemetry technologies. Reception problems are less frequent, because
Smart Hopping avoids interference and moves to a different access point if the
signal strength is too low. The level of radio frequency activity is always
fluctuating in the environment. If the level becomes high enough to
significantly interfere with transceiver operation, the system responds by
moving to another “cleaner” area where there is less activity.
The effect of interference on the IntelliVue Telemetry System ranges from a
momentary loss of ECG to complete inoperability, and can be caused by many
sources. The strength, frequency, and proximity of the source of interference to
the transceiver or the access point are factors that determine the degree of
severity. In cases where the source of interference can be identified, corrective
action can be taken. For example, removing or moving away from the source of
interference will increase the equipment's dependability.