Glossary Term
Telemetry
Definition
Telemetry refers to the process of remotely collecting, transmitting, and analyzing data from medical devices or sensors to healthcare providers, typically for monitoring patient health. In the medical field, telemetry is commonly used to gather physiological data such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation from patients, often in real-time. This data is transmitted via wireless or wired communication systems to healthcare providers, enabling remote monitoring of patients' vital signs, particularly in situations where continuous in-person observation is not feasible, such as for critically ill patients or in remote locations.
Relevance to the MedTech Industry
Telemetry plays a vital role in the MedTech industry, enabling continuous patient monitoring, which can improve patient outcomes, enhance care efficiency, and reduce healthcare costs. By providing real-time data, telemetry allows healthcare providers to detect changes in a patient's condition promptly, enabling timely interventions and reducing the need for frequent hospital visits. Telemetry systems are commonly integrated with other medical technologies like wearable devices, infusion pumps, ECG monitors, and implantable devices. As healthcare moves toward more patient-centric models, especially with the rise of telehealth and remote patient monitoring (RPM), telemetry technology is increasingly seen as a key enabler of advanced care delivery in both hospital settings and at home.
Additional Information & Related Terms
Related Terms
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM): A technology used to monitor a patient's health data remotely, often involving telemetry systems that collect and transmit vital signs.
Wearable Medical Devices: Devices designed to be worn by patients for continuous monitoring of vital signs, often integrated with telemetry for real-time data transmission.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): A U.S. law governing the protection of patient data, critical for ensuring the security of data transmitted through telemetry systems.
Interoperability: The ability of different medical systems, including telemetry devices, to work together and share data seamlessly.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Digital records of patient health information, often integrated with telemetry systems to provide real-time updates on patient health status.