Patients
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions About VitalPatch®
The VitalConnect Solution is a comprehensive patient monitoring system that combines wireless biosensor technology with individual and centralized monitoring interfaces. The VitalPatch biosensor is the heart of this system, enabling automatic and continuous physiological measurements – data are sent wirelessly to a relay device (VistaTablet) and then to the cloud where it can be viewed by a caregiver via VistaCenter centralized monitors. The flexibility of the system and the convenience of the wireless platform enables continuous care for both inpatient and outpatient monitoring environments.
The VitalPatch biosensor is a disposable, wearable patient monitor discreetly worn on the patient’s chest. It measures 8 physiological measurements continuously, in real time.
The VitalPatch biosensor is a battery-operated adhesive patch with integrated sensors and wireless transceiver, worn on the torso to record electrocardiography (ECG), heart rate, heart rate variability, R-R interval, respiratory rate, body temperature, activity (including step count), posture (body position relative to gravity) and fall detection.
ECG, skin temperature and accelerometer data are direct measurements. Heart rate, R-R interval, respiration rate, steps, posture, body temperature and fall detection are derived measurements. R-R interval measurements can be used to measure Heart rate variability (HRV) statistics offline.
The caregiver may advise you to wear the biosensor only in a specific location, described in the VitalPatch Instructions for Use. There are two positions for placement: Primary (on the left upper chest) and Secondary (below the left breast). Out of the two possible placement positions, we have found that:
- The Primary position is best for most patients, and is the required position for cardiac monitoring.
- The Secondary position is not recommended for obese patients.
Removing chest hair: Shaving for men is required for optimizing biosensor adhesion, maximizing signal quality and avoiding discomfort during removal.
Cleaning skin: The skin should be free from lotions and oils to maximize adhesion. Use an alcohol wipe to clean the area for application and allow to dry prior to applying the biosensor. Do not exercise or shower for 30 minutes after initial biosensor application.
Handling: Take care not to touch the adhesive or hydrogel while applying the biosensor; hold in the middle section of the biosensor that is free from adhesives while removing liners and positioning the biosensor for application.
Please follow the instructions from the VistaTablet Instructions for Use and the included Quickstart Guide for full application instructions.
When the Power Button is pressed for the first time, an LED on the device will temporarily show a green flash to indicate that the biosensor is turned on and ready for use. The LED does not remain on after the initial flash, and will only flash again after the Power Button is initially pressed if a flash is requested from the VistaPoint interface.
No. Once the biosensor is turned on and activated, it cannot be turned off.
168 hours (7 days) after which it will cease to function. Any stored data on the biosensor must be transmitted before the biosensor turns off.
Third party devices are connected to the VistaTablet or VistaPhone via Bluetooth. Please follow the instructions from the VistaPoint Instructions for Use and the included QuickStart Guide.
Try these troubleshooting steps in the order shown below, once reconnected discontinue the subsequent steps.
- Confirm the Power Button on the VitalPatch biosensor has been pressed by pressing it again.
- Close and relaunch the VistaPoint application.
- Restart the relay device and try connecting again.
- Replace the VitalPatch biosensor. The battery on the biosensor may be exhausted.
Yes. The biosensor is water-resistant for showers and daily wear. It cannot be submerged in a bath or sauna. While showering, minimize exposure directly under the shower head and avoid excessive contact with soap or scrubbing.
The VitalPatch biosensor was designed so patients can go about their daily lives. There are only a couple activities that need to be limited. The biosensor cannot be worn while swimming or in a wet environment, such as a sauna or hot tub. Intensive exercise should be avoided, but mild daily activity such as walking, cleaning the house, or working in an office should not impact biosensor performance.
Patients may experience slight discomfort and/or itchiness as a result of wearing medical-grade hydrocolloid adhesives. If patients experience discomfort or irritation beyond mildly tolerated symptoms, the biosensor should be removed from the patient immediately. If continued use of the biosensor is desired, try applying it in another recommended location as it may be more comfortable for the patient. If the patient experiences an allergic reaction, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention if the condition does not improve in several days.
If the biosensor shows that it is connected, press down firmly on the biosensor to reattach it to the skin. An optional adhesive overlay may be available from your care provider. This adhesive overlay can be applied and worn for the duration of the biosensor wear.
Should the software application indicate that a “Patch off” event has been detected, remove the patch and replace with a new one.
When you are disconnected from the relay device, data will be collected on the biosensor for about 16 hours*. If the biosensor’s on-board storage capacity is exceeded without connecting to the relay device, oldest data will be overwritten by newly acquired data. The oldest data cannot be recovered in this case. To prevent data loss, ensure you are within range and connected to the relay device as much as possible. When you reconnects to the relay device, the stored data on the biosensor will be transmitted to the relay device via Bluetooth. It will take approximately 1 hour to transfer 3 hours of stored data. Recorded and live data are streamed simultaneously upon reconnection, with priority given to live data.
* The amount of data stored by the VitalPatch may be less than 16 hours, depending on ECG signal quality.
If you are not connected to the relay device when the biosensor turns off at the end of life, all data from the last time you were connected to the relay device to the end-of-life will be lost. It is important to be within the range of the VistaTablet for the period before the end of life or discarding the biosensor otherwise the data may not have uploaded to the relay device.
The biosensor communicates with the relay device via Bluetooth. The VistaTablet relay device has an operating range of 32 feet (10 meters, line of sight) between the biosensor and relay device. The VistaPhone relay device has an operating range of 10 feet (3 meters, line of sight). These distances will be reduced by walls or other large objects within the path and will vary based on other Bluetooth devices in the area. The biosensor will collect and store data when the relay device is not connected (e.g. in case a user walks away from the relay device or the battery runs out on the relay device). Auto reconnection will occur when the biosensor is back in range. Once a relay device is connected via Bluetooth, it will begin transferring the stored data from the biosensor, as well as stream live data.”
Questions About Billing (Cardiac Monitoring)
VitalConnect is a leader in wearable biosensor technology for wireless patient monitoring in both hospital and remote patient populations. Your health care provider has requested VitalConnect to provide your ambulatory cardiac monitoring service needs.
VitalConnect may call you for any of the following reasons, related to your device and services. Here are a few examples:
- Verifying your insurance information
- Reminding you to stay connected to your device, or device troubleshooting
- Reminders to return your device at the end of your service
- Assisting with billing questions
Your cardiac monitoring services are billed by both VitalConnect and, in most instances, your healthcare provider who ordered the services. VitalConnect bills for the monitoring services, while your healthcare provider will bill for placement of the monitor (where applicable) and the review/interpretation of your monitoring results.
Once your VitalConnect charges are submitted to your insurance company, you will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance company. An EOB is NOT a bill.
Prior to receiving a statement, VitalConnect will make every effort to collect the appropriate amount due from your insurance company.
If you have any unmet co-insurance or deductible, you will receive a billing statement directly from VitalConnect.
You can simply call VitalConnect’s Billing Department (855) 621-8250. You can also email Billing@VitalConnect.com.
Note: Your healthcare provider does not coordinate or have access to VitalConnect’s billing or insurance coverage guidelines – they will not have answers to questions you may have related to VitalConnect’s services. Therefore, all billing questions related to VitalConnect’s services should be directed to VitalConnect.
VitalConnect understands the complexities of affordable healthcare. For this reason, we have a Patient Financial Assistance Program available to those who qualify. For further information, or for assistance with any billing or payment concerns, please call VitalConnect’s Billing Department (855) 621-8250. You can also email billing@VitalConnect.com.