The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of capacitive measurement. Further the invention relates to a method for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of a capacitive measurement. In order to provide a reliable technique for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like, which technique is particularly suitable for home use, a patient monitoring system (1) for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of capacitive measurement is suggested, said system (1) comprising a number of electrodes (2) arranged in the form of a matrix (3), said electrodes (2) being adapted to be integrated with a bed (4) or the like, each electrode (2) being individually selectable, means (5) for determining a number of electrodes (2) depending on the position of the patient on the bed (4) or the like, said means (5) being adapted to determine the number of electrodes (2) by determining the capacitance of a number of electrodes (2), and means (5) for selecting a number of said determined electrodes (2) for carrying out a capacitive measurement.