The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of capacitive measurement. Further the invention relates to a method for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of a capacitive measurement. In order to provide a reliable technique for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like, which technique is particularly suitable for home use, a patient monitoring system ( 1 ) for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of capacitive measurement is suggested, said system ( 1 ) comprising a number of electrodes ( 2 ) arranged in the form of a matrix ( 3 ), said electrodes ( 2 ) being adapted to be integrated with a bed ( 4 ) or the like, each electrode ( 2 ) being individually selectable, means ( 5 ) for determining a number of electrodes ( 2 ) depending on the position of the patient on the bed ( 4 ) or the like, said means ( 5 ) being adapted to determine the number of electrodes ( 2 ) by determining the capacitance of a number of electrodes ( 2 ), and means ( 5 ) for selecting a number of said determined electrodes ( 2 ) for carrying out a capacitive measurement.
