The power of technology to make our lives convenient is truly amazing. I just had my first Carelink ICD report. I have to get my ICD read 4 times a year. The ICD is programmed via a magnet, so to read the device they just place something that looks very much like a computer mouse over it (over my clothes and everything) and it transmits information. Sometimes they'll check my thresholds, which means that they'll dial up my heartbeat in the computer to see if its pacing function is working. That is really trippy.
Well at my last visit, I was offered the Carelink Monitor. It's basically the same monitor they use in the office except I use it at home and it transmits the data over my phone line. This weekend was my scheduled reading time, so I finally dragged out the box (I know I should have checked it out months ago, but I've been lazy). The first thing I pulled out was a cool looking monitor box. The second thing I pulled out was a videotape that said, "Patient Instruction Video: 36 mins." 36 minutes? How hard can this possibly be???
I decided to take my chances with the instruction book and my own wits. The steps were as follows:
1. Insert batteries (it actually came with fresh batteries)
2. Check phone setting switch--"none" if it didn't need to dial an extra digit for an outside line and "tone" for a touch-tone phone.
3. Plug one end of the phone cord into the monitor and the other end into the phone jack.
4. Turn the monitor on
5. Position the mouse-type-reader over my chest until the first green light comes on
6. Hold it there until all 5 green lights light up
7. Remove the reader when the monitor beeps
8. Listen to make sure the monitor dials the phone
Voila! The thing already comes programmed with the correct number and everything. Having followed these instructions, I can't imagine what the other 34 minutes of the 36 minute video is about.
Posted by Shelby at May 5, 2007 09:54 PMMy grandfather has had to do this since they installed his pacemaker a couple years ago. He kept getting a faulty reading though, because he wouldn't stop talking during the phone call. He just kept looking at my grandmother and saying, "Oh no, I'm getting a busy signal!" and faking a heart attack. Smartass - it runs in the family.
You're right though. The technology is amazing and it is fascinating to watch.