Throughput-based active mode trigger

A method of reducing gaps in data transmission between a patient monitoring device and at least one wireless access point, the method comprising the activities of:

• monitoring, by a control processor, an amount of throughput data being transmitted between a radio of the patient monitoring device and the at least one wireless access point;
• predicting an occurrence of a gap in data transmission between the patient monitoring device and the at least one access point;
• and
• automatically switching an operational mode of the radio from power save mode to active transmission mode for a predetermined amount of time in response to predicting a gap in data transmission, thereby enabling communication between the device and the at least one wireless access point for the predetermined amount of time thereby avoiding any gaps in data transmission between the device and the at least one wireless access point that would otherwise have occurred if the radio remained in the power save mode,
• wherein the patient monitoring device is coupled to a patient, enables patient ambulation around a healthcare facility, and selectively monitors at least one patient parameter.

An apparatus for reducing gaps in data transmission between a patient monitoring device and at least one wireless access point, the apparatus comprising:

• a radio that enables bidirectional data communication between the patient monitoring device and the at least one wireless access point, the radio being able to operate in a power save mode and an active transmission mode;
• and
• a control processor that selectively monitors an amount of throughput data being transmitted between the radio and the at least one wireless access point to detect an occurrence of a gap in data transmission between the patient monitoring device and the at least one access point, the control processor, in response to detecting a gap in data transmission, automatically switches an operational mode of the radio from the power save mode to the active transmission mode for a predetermined amount of time enabling communication between the patient monitoring device and the at least one wireless access point for the predetermined amount of time thereby avoiding any gaps in data transmission between the device and the at least one wireless access point that would otherwise have occurred if the radio remained in the power save mode,
• wherein the patient monitoring device is coupled to a patient, enables patient ambulation around a healthcare facility, and selectively monitors at least one patient parameter.