A patient monitor is synchronized with a portable sensor module by detecting a first coupling of the portable sensor module to the patient monitor. In response to the first coupling, the portable sensor module and the patient monitor each store configuration settings and record patient data acquired through the portable sensor module. After the portable sensor module is decoupled from the patient monitor, the portable sensor module continues to store patient data and the configuration settings stored in the patient monitor and the portable sensor module are allowed to change relative to one another. Upon detecting a second coupling of the portable sensor module to the patient monitor, the portable sensor module and the patient monitor resynchronize with one another to remove any differences in the configuration settings and to provide copies of any patient data missing from either the portable sensor module and the patient monitor.