What's New

June 29, 2004

 
PDAs Help Increase Event Reporting

Pharmacists at UMass Memorial Medical Center have doubled their documentation of drug interventions since implementing a PDA-based documention application in October, 2003. UMass offered 30 of its pharmacists Sony SJ-22 PDAs with software from HealthProLink Inc.. The software has enabled the pharmacists to electronically record adverse drug interactions, medication errors and potential adverse events. The pharmacists then sync their PDAs to a database, allowing the delivery system's director of pharmacy or other authorized administrators to access the updated reporting data via a secure Web site.



Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 12:41 AM | |

June 28, 2004

 
ClinRx Renal Dosing & Kinetics

ClinRx is a creatinine clearance and kinetics calculator for Vancomycin and aminoglycoside dosing for adult and pediatric patients. It includes "eDrugsRenal", with renal dosing information for over 500 drugs, a phenytoin levels calculator and a carboplatin/AUC dosing calculator. ClinRx includes a graphical Hartford Nomogram and Urban-Craig Nomogram to assist in extended interval aminoglycoside dosing. They also have a Mac-friendly .sit file available (two thumbs up!)

Source: MedPDA.net
posted by Kent 1:06 PM | |

June 25, 2004

 
TB Treatment Guidelines

A practical point-of-care reference tool for the Treatment of Tuberculosis guidelines is now available for download and use on Palm OS devices. This interactive PDA application provides current, accurate, user-friendly TB treatment guidelines for health care providers, allowing them to make informed decisions at the point of care.

Contents:

• Decision to Initiate Treatment
  
• Continuation Phase Treatment
  
• Monitoring During Treatment
  
• Treatment Regimens
  
• Special Treatment Situations
  
• Drug Information
  
• Treatment Interruptions
  
• Case Management

posted by Kent 8:05 PM | |

June 24, 2004

 
The Missing Sync for Palm OS, Ver. 4

Earlier this year, PalmSource announced that it would not provide Mac OS synchronization software with Palm OS Cobalt (Palm OS 6). Mark/Space, Inc. announced that it would provide new synchronization software for Mac OS X and Palm OS 4, Palm OS 5 and Palm OS Cobalt devices. This new sync software would not only replace HotSync Manager and Palm Desktop, it would offer far more features than what Mac users have had available.

Rather than waiting for Palm OS Cobalt (Palm OS 6) devices, Mark/Space is pleased to announce The Missing Sync for Palm OS, version 4 with support for Palm OS 4 and Palm OS 5 devices and lots of new "Mac First" features!

This new version of the Missing Sync functions as a complete replacement for HotSync Manager, the component that allows a Mac to communicate and exchange data with Palm OS handhelds. Yet, the Missing Sync works with existing Palm conduits, so you can continue to sync with all your existing Palm applications, as well as Microsoft Entourage (X or 2004), iSync (iCal and Address Book), or the Palm Desktop software (Address Book, Date Book, Memos and To Do).


posted by Kent 10:24 PM | |

June 23, 2004

 
Review on Medical Use of PDAs

Dr. Ovidiu Ciobanu from Montreal, Canada recently e-mailed me about an online article that he wrote on the medical uses of PDAs. Check it out!
posted by Kent 10:01 PM | |

 
The M.D. Anderson Surgical Oncology Handbook

Prepared by current and former surgical oncology fellows of the world-renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, SurgOnco™ is a practical guide to established surgical oncology principles for each organ system. Easy-to-navigate entries with algorithms and line drawings outline the essentials of diagnosis, staging, and clinical management of solid tumors treated in surgical practice. The authors emphasize multidisciplinary treatment planning, including therapy sequencing and biologic therapies.
posted by Kent 8:47 AM | |

June 22, 2004

 
Nurse's Quick Check: Diseases

NDisCheck™ is designed for quick reference at the nurses' station, and presents succinct, bulleted information on 450 diseases. It provides a rapid refresher on the key facts a nurse needs to understand the clinical course of a disease and hone in on required care.

Diseases are alphabetically organized and each disease is presented on an easy-to-scan format. Each disease entry includes pathophysiology, causes, complications, assessment, treatment, nursing interventions, outcomes, and patient education. Key information is flagged by logos such as Life-Threatening Disorder; and Age Issue, citing age-related concerns.


posted by Kent 5:53 PM | |

June 21, 2004

 
On the Go With FileMaker Pro

A longtime standard on the Macintosh, FileMaker has arguably cornered the market when it comes to simplified database design and management for Windows and Mac owners.

About three months after releasing what it described that most significant upgrade ever of FileMaker Pro, the company today announced FileMaker Mobile 7, a travelling companion for the flagship database manager. FileMaker Mobile 7 is built specifically for handheld devices and is designed to let users take their data on the road and then synchronize it with databases back in the office.

The software is aimed at non-IT professionals and could be useful for any business that has employees on the road, ranging from police departments to medical workers to cleaning services, Ryan Rosenberg, vice president, Marketing and Services at FileMaker said.

The most significant new features, Rosenberg said, are capabilities to synchronize multiple mobile devices with a desktop database, to run scripts either before or after synchronization and synchronize the updates made on the road with runtime versions of FileMaker Pro.

FileMaker sold about 100,000 copies of its mobile product, Rosenberg said, but the new versions offers a higher level of integration. "People have been doing a lot with it even with its limitations."

FileMaker Mobile 7 has a suggested retail price of $69.

Source: PDAStreet
posted by Kent 10:23 PM | |

June 18, 2004

 
BluefishRx Updated

The latest update to the BluefishRx prescription-writing application has a number of new features and bug fixes, including:

• Added print formats for Indiana and Kentucky
  
• Upgraded the PrintBoy print engine to version 6.0 with upgraded printer drivers and support for various new printers
  
• Database enhancements to increase the speed significantly for large patient databases and Rx logs
  
• Added synchronization preferences
  
• Many new improvements to the ICD-9 and CPT code interface
  
• Sort patient list by location

Click here to download a full trial version of BluefishRx ver. 4.96. Bluefish also offers several free tools including a patient import tool and fax server software, which enables users to deploy a complete in-house e-prescribing solution.
posted by Kent 11:55 AM | |

June 17, 2004

 
Symbol Buys Mobile Security Vendor

Symbol Technologies has agreed to acquire Trio Security Inc., a Colorado Springs, Colo.-based vendor of security technology for mobile hardware. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Trio Security designs and develops security systems for networks and mobile hardware. Its feature products contain a three factor authentication and single-sign-on application that consists of a software key, password and user-specific identification, such as biometrics or handwriting recognition. As part of the merger, Symbol will embed the technology into its PDAs and other mobile hardware.

Symbol also will add Trio Security's encryption technologies to its suite of security products. The vendor will integrate the entire acquisition into its Mobility Software Division.

If you're interested in HIPAA-proofing your handheld on the cheap, Trio Security currently offers a free version of their secure sign-on application here (free with registration, that is).

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 6:20 PM | |

 
More Clinical Data for Smart Phones

Sprint has formed an agreement with PatientKeeper that enables caregivers to access PatientKeeper's mobile clinical applications via select Sprint smart phones.

PatientKeeper offers various clinical applications including charge capture, dictation and prescription, as well as the PatientKeeper Platform, which mobilizes data from existing health care information systems. Caregivers now will be able to access all the vendor's applications on select Sprint smart phones running the Palm OS operating system. The extension of the system to smart phones came out of an agreement between Sprint and palmOne that was announced in February.

This is the second mobile clinical data agreement Sprint has made in two months. In April it announced it will enable caregivers to access via smart phones mobile software from MercuryMD.

Smart phones equipped with either vendor's software will be sold by Trio Teknologies Inc., a Carrolton, Texas-based distributor of wireless voice and data services.

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 6:10 PM | |

 
New Skyscape Titles

RadProc™ (Handbook of Interventional Radiologic Procedures, Third Edition)
The PDA version of the #1 handbook in interventional radiology covers all current procedures - from venous access techniques and embolizations to stent-grafts and carbon dioxide angiography. It provides instant access to information on protocols and equipment; indications, complications, and clinical outcomes; drugs and dosages; and noninvasive studies and laboratory values. A template enables clinicians to record and save patient case data.

NursDiag™ (Handbook of Nursing Diagnosis, Tenth Edition)
This is a quick reference to nursing diagnosis and can be used as a supplement for any nursing diagnosis text. Section I contains all nursing diagnoses, including definitions, characteristics, related factors, outcomes, and interventions. Section II contains Diagnostic Clusters with a collaborative focus. Features include Author’s Notes, key concepts, interventions with rationale, focus assessment, and outcome criteria.

AnesRev™ (Review of Clinical Anesthesia, Third Edition)
This is the first comprehensive anesthesia review for PDAs and is the perfect study aid for written and oral board exams. Derived from Barash, Cullen and Stoelting''s Clinical Anesthesia, Fourth Edition, this PDA review contains board-format questions with detailed answers. The software presents the questions and answers in a flash-card format that is ideal for exam preparation.
posted by Kent 8:59 AM | |

June 16, 2004

 
Achieving Clinician Buy-in to Technology

It may be a year and a half old, but this article by Bryan Bergeron, MD contains some really useful information for anyone involved in trying to implement a technology project with physicians.
posted by Kent 7:09 PM | |

 
PubMed on Tap

If you have a wireless handheld like the Treo or Tungsten C, you may be interested in PubMed on Tap, an application for PDAs that retrieves MEDLINE® citations directly from the PDA through a wireless connection to the Internet. PubMed on Tap features include several PubMed search limits, a history of previous queries, the ability to e-mail citations or save them to the Memo Pad, a clustered results option, and link-out to full-text Web sites.


posted by Kent 5:20 PM | |

June 9, 2004

 
PDAs Good for Long-Term Care Provider

Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Good Samaritan Society has purchased 500 PDAs from palmOne, Inc. The long-term care organization plans to use the hand-helds to help streamline patient information management, enhance care quality and improve communication among its staff members.

Caregivers at the not-for-profit organization's 250 locations will use the Tungsten E hand-helds to more accurately track and review resident activities, schedules and other data at the point of care. At the end of their shift, caregivers will download such data into Good Samaritan's proprietary resident tracking application via a hot synch to the organization's network servers.

The long-term care organization plans to offer more PDAs to nearly 1,500 of its nurses this fall. The nurses will use the hand-helds to review resident care plans and document clinical information, such as blood pressure, pulse, weight and dietary intake at the point of care.

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 11:20 PM | |

June 7, 2004

 
C-Tools: PDA Software from the American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is developing a cross-platform application for PalmOS and Pocket PC to assist physicians in caring for cancer patients. C-Tools is currently in beta testing, but once it becomes generally available in January of 2005, will include:

• Cancer detection in children
  
• Smoking cessation materials
  
• Pain medications dictionary
  
• Drug calculations
  
• PSA information
  
• Cancer screening guidelines

Thanks to Leo at MedPDA.net for the info.
posted by Kent 5:31 PM | |

 
Turbo-Doc EMR

Turbo-Doc is a simple Windows-based EMR utilizing a Visual Basic interface over an Access database. What makes it interesting is its Palm OS interface. With Turbo-Doc Palm, you can enjoy handheld portability combined with desktop PC power. Turbo-Doc Palm lets you synchronize up to 2000 patient records and the next 90 days of your practice schedule with your Palm OS device, and create office notes on your handheld to print out and synchronize with Turbo-Doc for the PC.


posted by Kent 2:56 PM | |

June 6, 2004

 
Electronic Prescribing Solutions Webinar

HealthRamp and palmOne will host an Electronic Prescribing Solutions "webinar" (Web seminar) on June 9, 2004. The webinar probes how physicians and pharmacies save money and time, along with other benefits that ePrescribing offers. Learn about HealthRamp CarePoint's approach to addressing safety and cost issues in a medical practice.

For more information on the palmOne and HealthRamp webinar and healthcare solutions from palmOne, please visit http://www.kohati.com/palmone/eprescribing.
posted by Kent 10:44 PM | |

 
CardioMath

CardioMath®, written by Dr. Chi-Ming Chow of St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada, is a PalmOS™ calculator with over 50 commonly used formulas in cardiovascular medicine. It is designed to assist physicians, nurses, pharmacists, technologists, technicians, and other allied health professionals in the field of cardiovascular medicine to perform essential day-to-day calculations accurately and efficiently.

CardioMath® covers the following major areas:

• Echocardiography
  
• EKG
  
• Epidemiology
  
• Exercise Stress Test
  
• Hemodynamics
  
• Unit Conversion (SI & US)

posted by Kent 11:34 AM | |

June 5, 2004

 
New Palm Powered Expert Guide for Med Students

Matt Delaney, PA-S, has created an Expert Guide for medical students. There's some overlap with the Medicine Expert Guide, of course, but Matt has found a lot of cool applications just for students as well. Strong work!
posted by Kent 9:21 AM | |

June 3, 2004

 
New products from Unbound Medicine

Pocket Guide to Diagnostics Tests, 4/e  for PDA provides quick, evidence-based information on the selection and interpretation of common diagnostic tests. Published by McGraw-Hill and powered by Unbound Medicine, this best-selling PDA product covers more than 350 laboratory, imaging, and microbiology tests, this handy reference is ideal for answering common questions such as:

• Which test is best to diagnose, screen, or follow a certain condition?
  
• How do I interpret an abnormal diagnostic test?
  
• How do I collect the appropriate specimen or prepare the patient for testing?
  
• Where can I find more information on this test in the medical literature?

New in this edition:

• New entries such as beta-natriuretic peptide, CT colonography, and CT arterial protography
  
• Updates to hundreds of tests
  
• New section on Therapeutic drug monitoring
  
• New section on Tests in Differential Diagnosis

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, published by F.A. Davis, defines more terms than any other health science dictionary. With approximately 56,000 terms in all -- including more than 2,200 new terms -- Taber's 19th is the most comprehensive health science dictionary available today.

Utilizing Unbound Medicine's award-winning PDA platform, you can access the information needed in a matter of seconds. You can select terms from an extensive index and then use many built-in navigation features to quickly review the desired information or link to related entries. Additional features include:

• More than 56,000 entries -- that's 50% more than other health-care dictionaries!
  
• Nearly 80 tables
  
• Pronunciation keys for many entries
  
• Extensive cross-linking between terms
  
• Secure digital (SD) card and memory stick support
  
• Data highly compressed to save space on your device -- uses 20-50% less space than similar products

posted by Kent 7:25 PM | |

June 1, 2004

 
ACP PIER Database

PIER (Physicians' Information and Education Resource) offers authoritative evidence-based guidance for clinicians, and is now available from Skyscape. Delivering rapid point-of-care information on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and continually updated by the American College of Physicians, PIER is one of the most comprehensive resources available, with information on diseases, procedures, screening and prevention, complementary/alternative medicine and ethical and legal issues.

PIER is a collection of disease-based modules that present a series of succinct guidance statements and practice recommendations, supported by detailed levels of pertinent rationale and evidence.

Key features include:

• Over 300 modules focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases
  
• Evidence indicators and standard tables
  
• The latest clinical information with quarterly updates
  
• Detailed tabular information presented in a PDA-optimized format for rapid lookup

posted by Kent 7:41 PM | |

 
Sony Exits U.S. PDA Market

I've never personally been a huge fan of Sony's Clié handhelds, although they've found favor with many medical users for their bright screens and snazzy multimedia features. Apparently, Sony has decided to rethink the PDA market in the U.S., and announced today that they will be introducing no new Clié models in the U.S. and Europe, although they will continue to do so in Japan. They will continue to honor warranties and deliver software upgrades for existing users. For more details, click here to read the entire article on PDA Street. You can also read commentary on Gizmodo and Brighthand.
posted by Kent 7:24 PM | |

 
Mind the GAPS

Dr. Felipe Urdaneta from the University of Florida has created GAPS (Gainesville Anesthesia PDA Software), which utilizes a stepwise strategy for preoperative evaluation for non-cardiac surgery, giving the user a portable, point-of-care, handheld tool for perioperative evaluation of patients with, or at risk for, cardiovascular disease. Avantgo is required for the Palm OS version.
posted by Kent 12:34 PM | |

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