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 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 .