CHAIN OF CUSTODY FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL MONITORING SYSTEM

1 . A chain of custody device, comprising:

a strap for attaching to a body part of a patient;

a receiver connected to the strap that is operable to be connected to a physiological monitoring system via a cable, the receiver storing an identifier that is readable by the physiological monitoring system and usable by the physiological monitoring system to verify that the physiological monitoring system is connected to a correct chain of custody device; and

a security means for preventing undetected removal of the receiver.

2 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is removably connected to the strap; and wherein the security means is also for preventing undetected removal of the receiver from the strap.

3 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is removably connected to the strap via insertion of the strap into two openings on opposite ends of the receiver.

4 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the security means comprises a snap rivet.

5 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a hook and loop fastener.

6 . The chain of custody device of claim 5 , wherein the security means comprises a security tag having an adhesive portion that is looped through openings on the strap and sealed over the hook and loop fastener.

7 . The chain of custody device of claim 5 , wherein the strap comprises a napped cloth surface that facilitates the sealing of the hook and loop fastener.

8 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a cloth inner surface to prevent irritation of the body of the patient.

9 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a safety feature that facilitates breaking apart of the strap when stretched.

10 . The chain of custody device of claim 9 , wherein the safety feature comprises at least one perforated region that forms a breakage region in the strap.

11 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the strap comprises a plurality of openings along a length of the strap, thereby permitting the strap to be adjustable.

12 . The chain of custody of device of claim 1 , wherein the strap is adapted to be worn around a neck of a patient.

13 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is adapted to receive the cable and is operable to detect a presence of at least one of an extension cable between the receiver and the physiological monitoring system and a substitute cable between the receiver and the physiological monitoring system.

14 . The chain of custody device of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an integrated circuit enclosed in a plastic molding.

15 . A system comprising:

a physiological monitoring system; and

a chain of custody device, the chain of custody device comprising:

a strap for attaching to a body part of a patient;

a receiver that is operable to be connected to the physiological monitoring system via a cable, the receiver storing an identifier that is readable by the physiological monitoring system and usable by the physiological monitoring system to verify that the physiological monitoring system is connected to a correct chain of custody device; and

a security means for preventing undetected removal of the receiver.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the physiological monitoring system is operable to cease physiological data collection and indicate an alarm upon detecting an incorrect chain of custody device.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the alarm is an audible alarm.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the physiological monitoring system is operable to cease physiological data collection and indicate an alarm upon the detection of a presence of an extension cable or a substitute cable connected to the receiver.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the physiological monitoring system is operable to cease physiological data collection and indicate an alarm upon detecting an impaired connection with the receiver.

20 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the physiological monitoring system is operable to query the receiver periodically for the identifier from the receiver.

21 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the physiological monitoring system is operable to collect the identifier stored on the receiver for storage on a memory device accessible to the physiological monitoring system following a format of the physiological monitoring system.

22 . A method for using a chain of custody device, comprising:

attaching a strap of a chain of custody device to a body part of patient, the chain of custody device including:

the strap,

a receiver that is operable to be connected to a physiological monitoring system via a cable, the receiver storing an identifier that is readable by the physiological monitoring system and usable by the physiological monitoring system to verify that the physiological monitoring system is connected to the correct chain of custody device, and

a security means for preventing undetected removal of the receiver;

securing the cable to the physiological monitoring system via a security label; and

providing the patient with the physiological monitoring system.

23 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising:

storing the identifier on a memory device accessible to the physiological monitoring system prior to providing the patient with the physiological monitoring system.