content: <PAGE>
  
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                              -------------------------
  
                                      Form 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                           Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
                                   August 27, 2001
                    --------------------------------------------
                                   Date of Report
                          (Date of earliest event reported)
  
                              DATA CRITICAL CORPORATION
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
  
            Delaware                     000-27855                 91-1901482
  ----------------------------    ------------------------     -------------------
  (State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
       of Incorporation)                                       Identification No.)
  
                        19820 North Creek Parkway, Suite 100
                              Bothell, Washington 98011
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  
                                   (425) 482-7000
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  
  
  
  <PAGE>
  
  Item 5.  Other Events
  
           On August 30, 2001 Data Critical announced that it remains in dispute
  with its distribution partner, Medtronic-Physio Control, over Medtronic's
  failure to meet minimum end user distribution targets and pay past due minimum
  payment obligations under the Distribution Agreement between the two parties.
  Data Critical intends to pursue all available legal remedies in an effort to
  ensure Medtronic's performance of its contractual obligations and to obtain
  appropriate relief, including monetary damages, for any failure of Medtronic to
  perform. In accordance with the dispute resolution provisions of the
  Distribution Agreement, Medtronic on August 27, 2001 filed a formal demand for
  arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. Data Critical intends to
  file a timely response with the American Arbitration Association denying the
  claims and seeking counterclaims for breach of contract and compensation for
  significant damages.
  
           A copy of Data Critical's press release announcing Medtronic's formal
  demand for arbitration is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
  reference.
  
  Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
  
      (c)  Exhibits
  
           99.1    Press Release issued by Data Critical Corporation on August 30,
                   2001
  
  <PAGE>
  
                                      SIGNATURE
  
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                        DATA CRITICAL CORPORATION
  
  Dated:  August 31, 2001               By  /s/ Michael E. Singer
                                            --------------------------------------
                                            Michael E. Singer
                                            Executive Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer
  
  <PAGE>
  
                                    EXHIBIT INDEX
  
  Exhibit Number   Description
  --------------   -----------
      99.1         Press Release issued by Data Critical Corporation on August 30,
                   2001
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text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               Washington, D.C. 20549
  
                              -------------------------
  
                                      Form 8-K
  
                                   CURRENT REPORT
  
                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                           Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
                                   August 27, 2001
                    --------------------------------------------
                                   Date of Report
                          (Date of earliest event reported)
  
                              DATA CRITICAL CORPORATION
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
  
            Delaware                     000-27855                 91-1901482
  ----------------------------    ------------------------     -------------------
  (State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)        (IRS Employer
       of Incorporation)                                       Identification No.)
  
                        19820 North Creek Parkway, Suite 100
                              Bothell, Washington 98011
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
  
                                   (425) 482-7000
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Registrant's telephone number, including area code
  Item 5.  Other Events
  
           On August 30, 2001 Data Critical announced that it remains in dispute
  with its distribution partner, Medtronic-Physio Control, over Medtronic's
  failure to meet minimum end user distribution targets and pay past due minimum
  payment obligations under the Distribution Agreement between the two parties.
  Data Critical intends to pursue all available legal remedies in an effort to
  ensure Medtronic's performance of its contractual obligations and to obtain
  appropriate relief, including monetary damages, for any failure of Medtronic to
  perform. In accordance with the dispute resolution provisions of the
  Distribution Agreement, Medtronic on August 27, 2001 filed a formal demand for
  arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. Data Critical intends to
  file a timely response with the American Arbitration Association denying the
  claims and seeking counterclaims for breach of contract and compensation for
  significant damages.
  
           A copy of Data Critical's press release announcing Medtronic's formal
  demand for arbitration is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by
  reference.
  
  Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits
  
      (c)  Exhibits
  
           99.1    Press Release issued by Data Critical Corporation on August 30,
                   2001
  SIGNATURE
  
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
  registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
  undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
  
                                        DATA CRITICAL CORPORATION
  
  Dated:  August 31, 2001               By  /s/ Michael E. Singer
                                            --------------------------------------
                                            Michael E. Singer
                                            Executive Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  
  Exhibit Number   Description
  --------------   -----------
      99.1         Press Release issued by Data Critical Corporation on August 30,
                   2001