Patent ID: 8756078

Claim:
A data communication module for use with a patient care device which has device data pertaining to operation of the device and that has patient data relating to a patient, the patient care device lacking wireless communication capability, the patient care device also having a port through which the device data and patient data is obtainable via a wired connection, the data communication module comprising a housing that is not included as part of the patient care device, a controller carried by the housing, a connector coupled to the controller, extending from the housing, and coupleable to the port of the patient care device to establish a wired connection between the patient care device and the data communication module, a transmitter carried by the housing, coupled to the controller and operable to transmit wireless signals which comprise information regarding the device data and the patient data, a location device that is carried by the housing and that sends or receives at least one signal which is used to determine a location of the data communication module, and therefore, the location of the patient care device in a healthcare facility, and a confirm button carried by the housing, coupled to the controller and spaced from the patient care device, the confirm button being pressed by a caregiver when a confirmed patient data reading is to be taken from the patient care device, wherein as compared to the wireless signals that are transmitted automatically by the transmitter, the confirmed patient data reading has higher reliability because the caregiver is present to verify that the patient care device is operating properly and that the patient is properly hooked up to the patient care device, whereby, when the connector is coupled to the port of the patient care device, the data communication module provides wireless communication of the device data and patient data that is otherwise absent from the patient care device.