A wireless network connected pulse oximetry system and method of providing pulse oximetry data obtained by a pulse oximeter to a monitoring station that is remote from a patient monitored by the pulse oximeter are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless network connected pulse oximetry system (100) includes a pulse oximeter (110) having an optical data transmitter (112) such as an infra-red LED and associated LED drive circuitry). The system (110) also includes a computer (140) that is interconnectable with a global data network (104) (e.g., the Internet) and an optical data receiver (130) that is connectable with a data port (144) of the computer via a data cable (142). The optical data receiver (130) is operable to receive optically transmitted pulse oximetry data (102) from the pulse oximeter (110) and convert the received pulse oximetry data (102) for transmission via the data cable (142) to the data port (144) of the computer (140). The system also includes a software module (146) executable by the computer (140) that enables the computer (140) to format the pulse oximetry data (102) received on its data port (144) for transmission via the global data network (104) to a remote monitoring station (150). In other embodiments, the optical data receiver may not be necessary, or the pulse oximetry data may instead be transmitted via a radio-frequency wireless connection.