Transtelephonic Monitoring (TTM)
Some of the patients who receive implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators have the option to have their device monitored remotely from their own home any time on the day of their scheduled transmission. St. Paul Heart Clinic offers this service as a convenience to patients to save time and avoid coming into the clinic for a simple check. The same information that is gathered in the clinic with a programmer arrives on a secure website at St. Paul Heart Clinic and is forwarded to our doctors. However, these home transmissions do not replace a clinic visit if adjustments need to be made to the programming of the device.
Pacemakers
At this time, only patients with certain models of Medtronic or St. Jude pacemakers have the ability to use the remote service. If you choose this type of device follow-up, further instruction on the use of the telephone transmitters will be provided at your post-op visit. For both services, the patient should ensure the transmitter is plugged into a functioning telephone jack. The transmitter allows for a phone to be plugged in and functional if the patient chooses to leave the transmitter plugged in to the wall. Please try not to make any calls within 15 minutes of transmitting. You will receive a call from St. Paul Heart Clinic within 24 hours of receiving your transmission.
Internal Defibrillators
Remote monitoring is available on defibrillators manufactured by Medtronic, Boston Scientific/Guidant and St. Jude. There are two different transmitters (wand and wireless) from each manufacturer for implantable defibrillators. Both transmitters need to be plugged into a functioning telephone jack. The transmitters allow for a phone to be plugged in and functional if the patient leaves the monitor plugged in to the wall. If you choose this type of device follow-up, complete instructions on the use of the transmitters will be provided at your post-op visit. You will receive a letter stating we have received your transmission, the date the next transmission should take place or to call the clinic if you are due to be seen by a nurse or doctor.
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