PDAs in the healthcare industry

I've learned throughout this semester how much a pda could have an impact on my field, but I haven't really talked about other professions in the health care industry. I recently spoke with a friend of mine in the health information technology field. She shared with me some facts that she's learned. Somewhere around seventy percent of medical interns are using pdas now. The reason for the increase is that information can be loaded up and used in seconds. Also, pdas are used for both input and output whereas desktop computers are usually used specifically for input. Also, mobility is battery power are better for pdas. It's not hard to see pda usage is growing in more fields than just pharmacy. Neat-o!

Websites for Hardware

Here are some product websites that might be useful to browse when looking for the right pda for you:

http://www.blackberry.com/

http://www.palm.com/

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/pocketpc

Since their products will actually support pharmacy software, I would chose from one of the three companies above. Also, by comparing on your own you can make a call on the best product for you. Happy browsing:)

iPhone

If you don't live under a rock, you've probably heard about the iPhone or at least one of the other products offered by Apple called the iPod. The commercials Apple uses to advertise the Mac over the PC are pretty funny. From the advertising and hype, I figured the iPhone must look cool but can it function as well as the smart phones or blackberries? And now that the cost issues seem to be worked out over the past summer, I have started to seriously consider this product a legitimate option. Unfortunately, as of now the iPhone doesn't support any medical software. It does offer WiFi to access the online products, but none of the pda pharmacy software I've seen is compatible with the iPhone. I don't think all hope is lost yet, though. If the price can drop and customers get refunds, I believe the iPhone will look to satisfy its customers and include medical pda software in the future:)

Diagnosaurus

This handy pda product is great for physicians and pathologists alike. I do think pharmacists could make very good use out of this tool too. Checking drug appropriateness or making recommendations to doctors while on rounds are two tasks we as students on rotations will learn to do. Diagnosaurus includes over 1000 diagnoses that you can search by disease, symptom, or organ system. You can even find related diagnoses connected to the one you searched. Also, if you're in the middle of searching multiple diagnoses, you can bookmark ones that you want to keep accessed.

My answer for Polly Papesh's pda question

If I were Polly I would buy a different pda:( Unfortunately, with all the expenses of adding memory and the disadvantage of not having wireless capability, the cost of a new pda would probablly be a steal of a deal. Plus, she could sell her old pda on this website: http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=SUYP . Good Luck Polly!

Where in the world.... would I rather be right now?

At this point, I have completed 2 finals and half of my blogs. I'm starting to think about taking a vacation. I think I'd like to go to Hawaii or Jamaica or Miami or Australia or the Bahamas. If I would go to one of these places, would I be able to use my pda? I know I would have to charge it up, but do those countries have convenient coffee shops.... like a starbucks, with wi-fi? If I were ever to be lucky enough to get a rotation in one of those wonderful locations, would I be able to use my pda? I think these are some questions to ask yourself before choosing rotation sites.

Thomson's Clinical Xpert

Of course since I go to the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy J, I have also had access to Thomson’s Micromdex. The feature of Micromedex that stands out for me is Toxicology, I remember searching for overdose information on more than one drug. Well, luckily Thomson didn’t leave that feature out when creating the PDA version Clinical Xpert. Also part of the attractive features are: Alt Med, Calculators, Disease, and Lab Advisor. Alt Med, as you probably guessed is information on herbals and dietary supplements, including drug interactions and pregnancy category. Lab Advisor has info on over 500 laboratory tests like monitoring and determining appropriate tests. Clinical Xpert even has alerts like FDA announcements and disease information. Since I hope to practice in community pharmacy, I think Clinical Xpert would be my choice for handheld information. Even before I get out into the “real world” I can download Clinical Xpert for free, because it free to the college. HooRahh!

davespda.com

Wow, I just checked out http://www.davespda.com/ and I got a recommendation within seconds. Just click on the pda recommend link on the home page, check your preferences, and click make recommendation. The website makes a recommendation based on preferences like wireless capability, memory, size, and price. Daves pda hooked me up with 21 options. Now that's what I call selection. I decreased my price limit by $50 and I got rid of 1/3 of the options. It's even easy to narrow it down:)

Chemotherapy from Lexi-Comp

After just completing the Therapeutics final, I'm thinking to myself "wow, would it have been nice to have a PDA program with chemotherapy information!" Well, Lexi-Comp OnHand has just that. You can search regimens by use and category. Way to go Lexi-Comp:)

Here are some links I found useful:

Guideline.gov's PDA link is http://www.guidelines.gov/resources/pda.aspx

Comparison of Lexi, Epoc, and Micromedex @ http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/resources/pdainfo/rx.html

Ohio COP: http://www.pharmacy.ohio-state.edu/services/comp/pda.cfm

and of course, my favorite: http://www.davespda.com/

Epocrates Essentials for PDAs

Epocrates is an established drug information company that has been in business for almost ten years now. They offer mobile and online products, including many different packages. Unfortunately for the traditional healthcare professional, Epocrates does not offer a print version of any products. Essentials is one of the PDA products. Whether you're looking up doses or side effects, this sweet little package is great on campus, in the office, or at family gatherings. Downloading is simple and can even be done to Blackberries now. Just go to http://www.epocrates.com/.

Clinical Pharmacology- CP OnHand

Clinical Pharmacology is another drug information source I am familiar with. I use the online version through the University account on campus for many drug information questions. The organization and easy navigation of the online version has made Clinical Pharmacology a personal preference of mine. I found the PDA version just as easy to navigate. CP OnHand has unique features that area also desirable, including Drug Identifier and IV Alert. These two features are part of the three main icons, which makes finding information on that content quick and easy.

Tarascon PDA Pharmacopoeia

Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia is a drug information handbook that I have been familiar with for quite some time now. Pharmacists at the retail pharmacy in my hometown use this handy little guide on a daily basis. While working at the pharmacy, I would often borrow the book myself to look up information on dosing, kinetics, and side effects. Pocket Pharmacopoeia fits into the pocket of a labcoat, just about as well as a PDA. Having had good experience with the print version, I was glad to find that Tarascon made a PDA version called Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition. The PDA version includes all information from the print, as well as some extra tools like multiple drug interaction checking and nine medical fomula calculators. Special features include a section on "Herbal & Alternative Therapy" and "Unique Canadian trade names and drugs". A twelve month subscription is $29.95 and includes continuous updates through the internet. A compact disc for PDA download is also available for $32.95 which allows the current edition to be downloaded onto a Pocket PC or Palm PDA.

10/10/07

So....here it is, my first blog. For this one, I will just provide a preview of what I will be blogging about up until December 14th. Looking at the title I chose, I find myself wondering if maybe I should have thought that one through a little longer. By pharm, I mean pharmacy and by PDA I did not mean public display of affection but personal digital assistant. My blog is basically going to document my personal discovery and opinions of electronic drug information from websites, software, and PDAs. As both a blogger and PDA rookie, I feel obligated to say that what I write could be incorrect. Now that I got my disclaimer out of the way~ I'm happy to say that this concludes my very first blog.