A method for paging/finding a wireless patient-monitoring device in a WLAN
network includes the steps of determining the status of a radio module
(RM) (117) of one or more wireless monitoring devices comprising one of a
Patient-Wearable Device (PWD) (115a,115b) and a Patient-Monitoring Device
(PMD) (110a,110b) that are adapted for dual-communication with one of or
more Access Points (104,106) and a central-monitoring station in a WLAN.
The overall status of the PWD/PMD can be a plurality of meta-states
including standby, inactive, active, sleep. After the status is
determined, there is a selection of a particular PWD/PMD for receipt of
wireless transmission of a signal that is adapted for changing a
meta-state of the device to a desired state if the current state of the
particular wireless monitoring device is not the desired state. An
audial-code function of the particular wireless monitoring device is
activated by transmitting an instructional signal to the particular
wireless patient-monitoring device to emit a predetermined first
audial-code that can be heard at least by a patient being monitored by
the particular PWD/PMD, so that the patient is instructed to contact the
nurse's station. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, a second audial
tone may be broadcast that is emitted at a volume loud enough to permit a
clinic or facility personnel to walk around and locate the device by the
sound.