A system for monitoring patient incontinence. A sensor module is positioned next to an impermeable layer of absorbent pad used for urinary or other incontinence. A wired embodiment has the sensor module wired to an external controller. In the wireless embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes an antenna, moisture sensor, and radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC). A rewritable memory is included in the RFIC to record identifying information associated with the patient. The identifying information is programmed in the RFID tag when it is in the range of an RFID writer. A controller-transceiver in this intelligent underpad monitor system provides excitation energy to operate the RFID tag. The controller-transceiver constantly interrogates the RFID tag to detect any incontinence alarm signal. When incontinence happens, the alarm signal is sent to the controller-transceiver along with user information in the RFID tag memory. In both wired and wired embodiments, the controller, which is a
