Apparatus and method for managing chronic home care of patients with one
or more implanted medical devices (IMDs) includes a mobile portable
device for use by a visiting nurse. Specifically, the portable device
integrates various systems to enable the nurse to schedule her day and
get directions to a first and subsequent visit destination via a GPS
system or equivalent. The portable device includes an identification
system including a security protocol to identify the nurse/home health
care provider. Additionally, the portable device incorporates a
communication system such as a cellular phone that would enable the nurse
to connect to other clinical support personnel such as a doctor or a
specialist. The portable device further includes a wireless communication
system that enables communication between the portable device and one or
more IMDs in a patient. Upon arrival at the patient's home, the nurse may
download data from the one or more IMDs directly into the portable
device. This data could in turn be downloaded immediately or later to a
remote viewing center via conventional data transmission systems. Other
medical data such as blood pressure measurements and vital physiologic
signals may be entered into the portable device using a digitizer pen,
voice input or equivalent. Similar to the IMD data, this medical data
could be transmitted to the remote location from the portable device.