Medical apparatus for detecting clinically significant changes in patient physiology and activity and for transmitting patient and medical information, and environmental data, via existing communication and notification systems, namely, telephones, cell phones, pagers, Internet, emails, text messages, and other messaging systems in a home, hospital, outpatient, disease management, skilled nursing facility, retirement homes, physician offices, and other healthcare facility; medical apparatus for sensing, recording and analyzing physiological data and activity of a patient on a patient support surface and for alerting medical personnel to clinically significant changes in patient condition, namely, a display unit with a user interface and microprocessor to be placed adjacent the support surface, a sensor unit to be installed on the support surface, and wireless communication devices for connecting the display unit to the sensor unit and for connecting the display unit to existing communication and notification systems for transmission of signals, data, alerts and other information; stretchers, gurneys, ambulance cots, and chairs with sensors for detecting patient conditions; beds, mattresses, mattress pads for medical use, all with sensors for detecting patient conditions; medical products, namely, pads with embedded sensors for use on a patient support surface for detecting patient conditions