The invention relates to a device, in particular a patient monitoring system with a mobile terminal unit (1) for acquiring patient data. The measured data is transferred from the terminal unit (1) via a short-range radio technology (2) (e.g. Bluetooth) to a data monitor (3) arranged at the patient's bedside when the patient is in the vicinity thereof. If necessary, communication can be switched to a long-range radio technology (7) (e.g. WLAN) to ensure interruption-free data transmission while the patient moves around.