By Lynn Fuller
Marquette, MI – Cardiologists are now able to evaluate patients with implantable cardiac devices over the internet without them leaving their homes. Marquette General Hospital is the first health system in the U.P. to offer Medtronic CareLink Network. The new technology is available to people with a Medtronic ICD system for heart failure. The system consists of a patient monitor, a website for patients and their loved ones, and a website for clinicians.
The monitor reads the patient's heart rhythm, automatically dials a toll-free, pre-programmed number and sends the information to the network through a home telephone connection. Staff at Marquette General then review the data by logging onto the website, and make adjustments to the patient's medication or therapy as needed. Patients can transmit the data from their heart using a phone line from anywhere. For further information, call 1-800-562-9753, Ext. 4942 or visit the website www.mgh.org/heart/heart.html.