Abstract: A wireless remote alarm system is described to allow a mobile caregiver or clinician to track the alarm status of a life-critical medical device and patient while the caregiver or clinician is located away from the patient. The system includes automatic recognition of the medical device's alarm output circuit for universal compatibility, in order to render the system practical, convenient and reliable to deploy, and protocols for signal reliability, security and power management. The system also includes alarm differentiation protocols to assist the caregiver with alarm prioritization, and remote patient management applications via wider-area network connectivity. The system is especially useful in alternate care and homecare settings, and for monitoring patients using a ventilator.