Telemetry

Telemetry (synonymous with telematics) is a technology that allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. The word is derived from Greek roots tele = remote, and metron = measure. Systems that need instructions and data sent to them in order to operate require the counterpart of telemetry, telecommand. Telemetry has be used for psychological and medical research.

Although the term commonly refers to wireless data transfer mechanisms (eg. using radio or infrared systems), it also encompasses data transferred over other media, such as a telephone or computer network, optical link or other wired communications.

Medicine
Telemetry also is used for patients (biotelemetry) who are at risk of abnormal heart activity, generally in a coronary care unit. Such patients are outfitted with measuring, recording and transmitting devices. A data log can be useful in diagnosis of the patient's condition by doctors. An alerting function can alert nurses if the patient is suffering from an acute or dangerous condition.

Also a system that is available in medical-surgical nursing in order to monitor a condition where heart condition may be ruled out. Or to monitor a response to antiarrhythmic medications such as Digoxin.