Disclosed is a patient monitoring apparatus (400). The patient monitoring apparatus (400) comprises: (a) a processor； (b) a battery charging module in communication with the processor； (c) a storage device in communication with the processor； (d) a user interface (comprised of display 404 and input feature 406) in communication with the processor； and (e) a plurality of ports (402) in communication with the processor. Each port of the plurality ports (402) is configured to couple with a respective patient monitoring unit (40). The battery charging module is operable to charge patient monitoring units (40) through the plurality of ports (402). The storage device is operable to store data received from patient monitoring units (40) through the plurality of ports (402). The processor is operable to transmit updates to patient monitoring units (40) through the plurality of ports (402).
