A physical configuration of cables and a wireless communication system for connecting a monitoring apparatus to a human patient, where said patient and his immediate surroundings define a potentially infectious contaminated zone. The configuration provides for the monitoring apparatus and a wireless receiver to lie outside of the contamination zone, and one or more serial cables to interface with said patient within said infectious zone. A wireless transmitter is connected to said serial cable proximal end and configured to wirelessly transmit patient information to said wireless receiver which is connected to the monitoring apparatus. This physical configuration prevents contamination of the monitoring apparatus and wireless receiver, so they may be reused on successive patients, and prevents the transfer of infective agents to a subsequent patient in a series of patients. The serial cable(s) used to contact the patient within his contamination zone may be disposable. Examples of monitoring various physiological parameters are provided to exemplify the universal concept of such physical configuration. In certain embodiments the wireless transmitter may be integrated with the sensor device attached to the patient, and/or the wireless receiver may be integrated with the monitoring apparatus.
