What's New

July 30, 2004

 
The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

This convenient PDA reference offers practical, up-to-date guidelines on proper use of vaccines and helps clinicians answer the many questions asked by patients and parents. Users can quickly get detailed information on all vaccines currently recommended for infants and children, travelers, and individuals in special circumstances. Coverage of each vaccine includes the disease and its epidemiology, the vaccine’s efficacy and safety, and the practical questions most frequently asked. Clinicians will find answers to specific parental concerns and guidelines on problems such as allergies, breastfeeding, dosing intervals and missed vaccines, and immunocompromised individuals.

Of course, you could also just use Shots 2004 and save the fifty bucks... ;-)
posted by Kent 6:31 PM | |

 
U.K.: Mobile Use in Hospitals OK

In response to the longstanding debate about the safety of wireless devices in hospitals, the British government has come to its senses.

Regulators in the United Kingdom say most mobile communications systems can be used in hospital settings. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, part of the U.K.'s Department of Health, has issued a report recognizing the importance of mobile technology in patient care. But the report also encourages health care provider organizations to "actively manage" use of the radio frequency spectrum in their buildings because the electromagnetic interference mobile equipment produces can affect medical devices.

The agency rated the risk of interference for several types of mobile systems and devices and made specific recommendations for their use in hospitals and other provider sites. They include:

• Analog emergency service radios, which pose a high risk to medical devices, can be used for emergencies but not routine communication.
• Private business radios, such as two-way radios, also are rated high risk and should not be used. The agency recommends changing to lower-risk technologies.
• Cellular phones as well as laptop computers, PDAs and gaming devices that use General Packet Radio System and 3G, or third-generation, cellular technology are rated as medium-risk devices, but a complete ban on their use is unnecessary, the report says. The agency recommends that hospitals set up designated areas for their use and ensure that such devices are not used near critical care or life support medical equipment.
• Cordless telephones and most computer radio network systems are low risk and do not need to be restricted.

Now if only the United States would do something similar!

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 6:25 PM | |

July 29, 2004

 
Manual of Psychiatric Therapeutics, Third Ed.

The newly updated Third Edition of Dr. Shader’s popular Spiral Manual is now available from Skyscape. On the wards, in the office, on rounds, or at the bedside, clinicians can instantly access the most up-to-date, authoritative guidelines for diagnosing and treating the full range of psychiatric disorders. Content includes complete, current information on psychotropic drugs, pharmacotherapy for children, drug interactions, and nonpharmacologic therapies.
posted by Kent 9:32 PM | |

 
Bones Flash Cards

Bones Flash Cards uses content and graphics from BryanEdwards.com and features over 295 images and substantial text (over 21MB worth...be sure you're packing an expansion card). Bones Flash Cards is designed to guide users through the skeletal system. Every bone in the body is identified, and every significant bony landmark is defined. The program also includes a special chapter on joints and ligaments, with innervation, movement, and arterial supply denoted for each.

A variety of additional anatomy titles featuring Bryan Edwards' work are also available from Medical Wizards.


posted by Kent 9:15 PM | |

 
OB Suite v7.0

Timothy Allen recently updated his freeware OB Suite, which, in addition to a standard OB wheel, also calculates dates from ultrasound data. The program also lets you calculate when a patient will reach a certain gestational age, tracks OB patients, tracks inpatients, tracks procedures, and calculates Bishop scores. With the latest update, OB Suite now includes an IVF Wheel, which calculates gestational age based on beta-HCG injection and IVF with day 3 or 5 transfer.


posted by Kent 9:05 AM | |

July 26, 2004

 
New Titles from Skyscape

LabTests (Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, Seventh Ed.)
The best-selling clinical reference on laboratory and diagnostic tests is now available in PDA format, for quick, easy point-of-care access. This handheld reference covers the full range of current tests and studies and describes each test in detail, with step-by-step instructions on correct procedure and tips for accurate interpretation. Coverage of each test includes lists of abnormal findings and disease patterns and an explanation of key indicators both before and after the test is performed. Appendices include protocols for collecting saliva, breath, nail, and hair specimens and forensic evidentiary specimens.

RxDrugs (AHFS Dosing Companion)
RxDrugs is the one-of-a-kind handheld version of the extensively referenced, evidence-based dosing statements prepared by professional editorial staff and based on the AHFS Drug Information database, which is recognized through Federal legislation and regulation as an official compendium for information on medically accepted uses of drugs, with over 275 pages of dosing and adverse reaction information.
posted by Kent 4:43 PM | |

July 25, 2004

 
Medical Journal Available on PDAs

Select content from The Lancet, an international medical journal published by Amsterdam-based Elsevier, now can be downloaded onto PDAs and smart phones. The mobile edition of The Lancet offers full text of editorials, commentaries and news articles, as well as article abstracts and the table of contents page from each issue of the journal.

It also features free PDA software from San Francisco-based Roundpoint Inc. designed to enable management of the information. The management software is available for PDAs running the Palm OS or Windows Mobile operating systems.

The mobile edition of the journal is being offered on a subscription basis for $50 a year. New issues of The Lancet automatically are loaded onto subscribers' PDAs each time they synch.

The Lancet is offering a free 30-day trial subscription to the mobile edition.

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 9:11 AM | |

July 22, 2004

 
STAT NCD Lab Coverage

Dr. Andre Chen adds a new billing and coding application to his STATCoder lineup with NCD Lab Coverage. STAT NCD Lab Coverage allows the user to quickly scan diagnosis categories and codes which Medicare will definitely cover for any of these tests. It uses a format very similar to STAT ICD-9 Coder and runs on the TealInfo database program. A demo is available. The registered version costs $35 (not including the cost of TealInfo). Recovering payment for even a single lab test will pay for this software.


posted by Kent 7:04 PM | |

July 21, 2004

 
Diagnosaurus Mac Beta

Unbound Medicine is recruiting Palm OS users with Macintosh OS X computers to beta test the Macintosh version of Diagnosaurus, a McGraw-Hill Mobile Consult product. Diagnosaurus is a free Differential Diagnosis Tool that contains over 1000 differential diagnoses organized by disease, symptom, and organ system. This beta is open to the first 100 Palm/Macintosh OS X users who register at the Diagnosaurus Macintosh beta site.

Macintosh beta users are encouraged to provide feedback via the Unbound Medicine support site. Windows users can download Diagnosaurus for Palm and Pocket PC at www.diagnosaurus.com.


posted by Kent 10:40 PM | |

 
New ePocrates Releases

ePocrates has announced the release of ePocrates Lab, their newest mobile diagnostic reference for Palm OS devices.

ePocrates Lab is a unique, up-to-date guide to hundreds of diagnostic tests and panels covering collection, reference range, interpretation, reimbursement and follow-up.

ePocrates Lab includes:

• Continually updated content
• Pricing and reimbursement information
• Interpretation and follow-up recommendations
• Thousands of relevant links to drug and disease information

ePocrates Lab is now available for Palm OS devices synchronized with Windows computers.

In addition, ePocrates has announced the release of ePocrates Essentials, a package deal which includes ePocrates Rx Pro, Dx, and Lab.

ePocrates Essentials is:

• Fully integrated with thousands of relevant links between ePocrates references and tools that take you immediately to the information you need
• Continually adding the latest information on drug-drug, drug-lab interactions, new indications, formulary changes and much more
• Designed to be intuitive, quick and easy to use

Essentials is currently only available for Palm OS devices synchronizing to Windows computers.

(Ed.: Hope they hurry up with the Mac support.)
posted by Kent 7:27 PM | |

 
Docs, PDAs Ready to Talk

Physicians at Charlotte, N.C.-based Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates are up and running on PDA-based dictation software that enables them to create and transmit reports via a Wi-Fi network.

The IQSpeak software, from Charlotte, N.C.-based IQMax, resides on a PC card that can be plugged into select PDAs running the Palm OS or Windows Mobile operating systems. The software is synchronized with the group practice's scheduling system over a Wi-Fi network. The integration enables physicians to automatically place patient demographic information into their dictation. Clinicians also can enter additional information into the report, such as how quickly they need their dictation transcribed and which transcription service they want to use.

Physicians wirelessly transmit the dictation from their PDAs to a personal computer at the practice. The dictation then is encrypted and sent over the Internet to IQMax. The vendor routes the report to the transcription service. After the service completes the transcription, it sends the document back to IQMax, which then sends it to Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates' practice management system.

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 6:28 PM | |

 
Vendor Builds a Bridge for PDA Apps

Software Unlimited Inc. will create an interface between its practice management system and PDA-based clinical applications from HealthRamp. The interface will be designed to enable clinicians to use PDAs to transfer information from Software Unlimited's Medical Mastermind software to HealthRamp's hand-held applications.

HealthRamp, a subsidiary of Ramp Corp., develops and markets the CarePoint suite of PDA-based technologies, including electronic prescribing, lab ordering, results and messaging applications. The software can be used on PDAs running the Palm OS or Windows Mobile operating systems.

Source: Mobile Health Data
posted by Kent 6:25 PM | |

July 20, 2004

 
Thompson's Rheumatology Pocket Reference

USBMIS, well-known developer of PDA software applications, invites users to participate in a free BETA testing of an exciting new title, Thompson’s Rheumatology Pocket Reference PDA Edition.

Thompson’s Rheumatology Pocket Reference PDA Edition, is created for rheumatologists, general internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, geriatricians, and others who see patients with rheumatologic disorders. The content includes information on more than 70 medications, 30 rheumatic diseases, 30 classification criteria, and 20 differential diagnosis descriptions. The application is a complete reference for rheumatologic diagnosis and management.

The PDA edition features interlinked content, a comprehensive index, automatic content updates, and 9 built-in medical calculators.

Beta testing will continue until August 31, 2004. To register for the Beta test free of charge, click here.

USBMIS produces renowned medical reference software, such as the Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy PDA Edition, the Tarascon Pharmacopoeia Deluxe PDA Edition, and Geriatrics at Your Fingertips PDA Edition, among others.

Expected release for Thompson’s Rheumatology Pocket Reference PDA Edition is late summer.


posted by Kent 5:25 PM | |

July 19, 2004

 
Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests

Skyscape's Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 7th Ed. has just been released.

The best-selling clinical reference on laboratory and diagnostic tests is now available in PDA format, for quick, easy point-of-care access. This handheld reference covers the full range of current tests and studies and describes each test in detail, with step-by-step instructions on correct procedure and tips for accurate interpretation.

Coverage of each test includes lists of abnormal findings and disease patterns and an explanation of key indicators both before and after the test is performed. Appendices include protocols for collecting saliva, breath, nail, and hair specimens and forensic evidentiary specimens.
posted by Kent 11:04 PM | |

 
New Expert Guides from PalmSource

Palm Powered Expert Guides are online resources created and maintained by volunteer users from the Palm OS community to help users customize and extend the usability of their device based on specific areas of interest. These guides offer a central repository of Palm OS applications, online resources, e-books and user stories designed to help PDA and smartphone users get the most out of their devices. Today, PalmSource announced the addition of twenty new guides, bringing the total number offered to 55. These include a new anesthesiology guide, in addition to guides on medicine, medical students, psychology and psychiatry, and dentistry.
posted by Kent 10:50 PM | |

July 16, 2004

 
PDAs Used to Collect Dialysis Data

Caregivers at San Diego-based Fresenius Medical Care Extracorporeal Alliance are using PDAs to collect and transmit dialysis data. The provider organization, a division of Fresenius Medical Care North America, offers dialysis and other clinical services in hospitals across the United States.

In 1998, the company enlisted the services of Interactive Business Systems Inc., an Oak Brook, Ill.-based consulting firm, to automate dialysis data collection and transmission. Prior to the agreement, caregivers at Fresenius had been collecting dialysis services data on paper. When it came time for the company to produce quarterly service reports for its hospital constituents, employees had to search through mounds of paper to find enough information to report Continuous Quality Improvement data to the client, says Mary Jo Davis, director of acute business development for the company's dialysis services division.

"For our 40 dialysis programs, it used to take us two to three days to find data and get it into a spreadsheet," she says. "It was a manual process, so we'd only end up providing our hospitals with about 15% of their actual data."

The consulting firm designed a PDA-based application for Fresenius that enabled caregivers to collect dialysis information at a patient's bedside, then synch the data to the company's database server over a phone line at their homes. Caregivers are using various models of PDAs from palmOne, Milpitas, Calif., for the initiative.

Caregivers also can enter detailed information into the application, such as the specific hospital they worked at and the number of hours they were there. Having this information in the integrated database has made it easier for the company to find hospital-specific data that it needs for quarterly reports. It also helps the company more easily find the information it needs to produce more accurate and timely payroll for its caregivers, Davis says.

"All of our caregivers are mobile, so it seemed like enabling them to use PDAs would be most optimal," she adds. "Now we can easily find the information we need to give our hospitals 100% of their CQI data. We also can extract data that we can use to help renegotiate our services. We now can get down to the detail of what's going on at each hospital by using PDAs for data reporting."

Source: Mobile Health Data

posted by Kent 6:19 PM | |

July 15, 2004

 
New Handheld Discussion Forum

David Gurney wrote to let me know that he has just opened a new IT discussion site for biomedical scientists, which includes a mobile/handheld discussion forum.

posted by Kent 8:27 PM | |

 
Geriatrics At Your Fingertips

Supported by a grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation, the PDA version of Geriatrics At Your Fingertips is a great new resource for patient care.

Thanks to Dr. Cathy Eberle for the tip.

posted by Kent 8:23 PM | |

July 13, 2004

 
AvantGo Conduit for the Mac

At long last, somebody has written an AvantGo client for Mac OS X. ZipIt's MAL Conduit 1.0.3 lets Mac users access the popular AvantGo web clipping service on their Palm devices using Mac OS X. Install this AvantGo conduit, and presto, your AvantGo content is updated with every HotSync.

Thanks to Murray West for the tip.

posted by Kent 10:04 PM | |

 
Treo 600 Coming Soon from Verizon

Verizon Wireless is now accepting orders for the palmOne Treo 600 smartphone though their business and corporate sales channels. Full consumer and in-store availability is expected possibly as soon as next week.

The company is offering both the standard silver-colored CDMA Treo 600 as well a camera-less version. The non-camera version will be available shortly after launch and is identical, minus the camera feature. Prices start at $449 with a two year contract, less a $100 instant rebate.



Source: PalmInfoCenter
posted by Kent 4:19 PM | |

 
Interactive Preventive Services Selector

The AHRQ has just released a free Interactive Preventive Services Selector. This PDA application and online guide identifies clinical preventive services for screening, counseling, and preventive medication based on the patient's age, sex, and pregnancy status. It reflects current recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and can be used as a clinical tool for delivering appropriate services.



Source: MedPDA.net
posted by Kent 7:53 AM | |

July 12, 2004

 
Ballard Gestational Exam

This program has actually been around for quite a while, but I don't think I've ever mentioned it here before. This freeware app was created by Anthony Ton at the New York University School of Medicine to assist medical students during their pediatrics rotations. Ballard Gestational Exam 1.0 provides an onscreen checklist for tabulating the Dubowitz/Ballard Gestational Age. It is divided into neuromuscular maturity (NM) and physical maturity (PM). After going through the checklist, the program will then give you a total score for the Ballard Gestational Exam.

posted by Kent 12:14 AM | |

July 10, 2004

 
CPTMeister Updated

MeisterMed has just released an extensively redesigned version of CPTMeister that is definitely worth checking out. Improved navigational features help make finding your CPT codes fast and easy. The new "Most common procedure" lists bring all your commonly used CPT codes into one place. "Fast links" make it easy to find procedures like biopsies, endoscopy, and foreign body removal. A new Primary Care Quick List brings more than 200 of the procedures most commonly done in primary care into one alphabetical index which makes finding your code a snap. And now, for the first time, CPTMeister includes selected HCPCS Level II codes (G codes for Medicare, J codes for injectables, and more). Check out all the new features here.
posted by Kent 9:21 PM | |

July 8, 2004

 
CVMstat from Handheldmed.com

Created by an international team of over 100 leading physicians, CVMstat was designed from the ground up for handheld devices. CVMstat will empower health care providers who care for patients with cardiovascular disease by providing instant access to authoritative monographs on thousands of topics in cardiovascular medicine, along with updates and new information as it becomes available.

CVMstat provides leading edge information on hundreds of topics involving all aspects of cardiovascular medicine, including sections on diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial and venous disease. CVMstat reviews and summarizes 350 of the most important clinical trials in cardiology and in vascular medicine.

Click here to view the CVMstat press release.

Thanks to PalmDoc for the tip.


posted by Kent 6:19 PM | |

 
PocketBilling Updated

PocketBilling, a leading stand-alone charge capture and tracking application, has been updated to ver. 3.0, and includes major enhancements in design, technology, security and underlying features:

• HIPAA-compliant password protection and encryption options.
• Interoperable between Palm and Pocket PC including beaming.
• Code it Your Way™ technology enables coding by ICD-9, diagnosis name, or your own personal list of codes.
• True two-way conduit (add patients on the desktop and handheld at the same time and then synchronize to keep patient lists up-to-date)
• Bluetooth and Infrared beaming and synching.
• Additional infrared printing options including:  PrintBoy©, PalmPrint© and IrPrint©.
• Designed by practicing physicians and tested in a medical practice environment using PocketMed's proprietary True Practice™ process.
• Print reports using our PocketBilling Desktop product which can export into Microsoft Word, HTML, XML, Access and Excel formats for custom reporting.

posted by Kent 1:54 PM | |

 
Unbound Surgery

On the tail of some other releases (see the June 5 news item), Unbound Medicine has released Unbound Surgery (not to be confused with wound dehiscence...), a unique digital resource that combines evidence-based clinical content and leading-edge technology. Authored by more than 100 experts from top surgery programs, it offers comprehensive information on more than 400 diseases, tests, and interventions in general surgery.

Unbound Surgery is delivered on both Web and PDA, enabling busy surgeons and trainees to access the knowledge wherever they choose. Sophisticated browsing, searching and linking are available on both Web and PDA as well as powerful integration with the world's medical literature.
posted by Kent 1:50 PM | |

July 7, 2004

 
New palmOne Resource Center for Mac Users

Today, palmOne Inc. introduced a new resource center to help Mac users get the most out of their handhelds and smartphones. The Web site will feature tips on wireless connectivity, an array of photo album opportunities and other resources, according to the company.

"We count thousands and thousands of Mac enthusiasts among our valued customers," said Page Murray, vice president of marketing for palmOne, Inc. "We created this new Mac resource center to build on the idea of the Mac as a digital hub and the palmOne handheld as your portable digital life."

Resources found on the site will include:

• Photo Albums & iPhoto - shows users how to take photo albums on the road and add photos taken from a Zire 72 handheld or Treo 600 smartphone to albums on their desktops.
• Syncing with iSync - shows users how to enjoy seamless synchronization between popular Mac personal information management applications and palmOne handhelds.
• Go Wireless - shows users how to pair a Mac Bluetooth technology-enabled desktop with palmOne Bluetooth technology-enabled handhelds. It also walks users through a quick Wi-Fi setup to use a Tungsten C handheld with Airport, Airport Extreme, or Airport Express wireless base station.
• Software - features overviews of the most popular productivity applications (Documents To Go, Adobe Reader for Palm OS, and FileMaker Mobile) and links to additional Mac-friendly applications.

Source: MacCentral
posted by Kent 4:52 PM | |

 
New Mobipocket Titles

Mobipocket has posted three new medical titles. The Drug Therapy pocket is a very concise book answering the question: "I've got a diagnosis, which drugs do I use?" The ICD-9-CM pocket combines the best ICD-9-CM coding information with the best digital searches and reference functions available for the PDA. ECG pocket is a handy reference for identifying common ECG findings. All three books are shareware, and require the Mobipocket Reader.
posted by Kent 10:08 AM | |

 
Shots 2004 Updated

Shots 2004 has been updated to reflect mid-year changes to the childhood influenza vaccine recommendations. As always, Shots 2004 is freeware. Update your copy today!


posted by Kent 12:01 AM | |

July 6, 2004

 
ePocrates Lab – Coming Soon!

ePocrates Lab is a user-friendly handheld guide to hundreds of diagnostic tests, covering collection, interpretation, reimbursement and follow-up. It’s designed to be integrated with the ePocrates Dx™ disease reference and ePocrates Rx® or ePocrates Rx Pro™ drug references, to save you time as you evaluate, diagnose and treat patients.

ePocrates Lab provides up-to-date and concise information on:

• Hundreds of diagnostic tests and panels
• Interpretation (disease, drug and spurious causes)
• Follow-up
• Preparation
• Pricing and reimbursement

Learn more about ePocrates Lab.


posted by Kent 9:21 PM | |

 
More from Skyscape

Evidence-Based Cardiology is an indispensable decision-making aid for all physicians who treat cardiovascular disease. It provides instant access to the latest American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association guidelines and the most current clinical trial data that support or refute clinical interventions.

Handbook of Drug Allergy is a quick guide to drug allergies and drug reactions for anyone prescribing medications. Users can easily look up either the organ system being treated or the specific class of drug being prescribed, and immediately get reliable information on possible drug reactions and allergies. Content includes vaccines and herbal and natural therapy, as well as guidelines on referrals and documentation/reporting. Also included are descriptions of the types of drug reactions, to help physicians better know what to look for.
posted by Kent 6:41 PM | |

 
RSS Reader for Palm OS

I'm sure by now Leo over at MedPDA.net thinks I rip him off like crazy. A reader asked me about viewing Ectopic Brain content on his handheld, and no sooner had I decided to post my reply to him as a news item than I read Leo's most recent post. Talk about great minds thinking alike! ;-) Anyway, Leo linked to a Pocket PC app (which I would never do...the horror!), so here's one of the best RSS readers for Palm: Stand Alone Software's Hand/RSS. You don't need a wireless handheld to use it, either...it will update your news when you HotSync, similar to AvantGo. Unlike AvantGo, it even has a conduit for the Mac! The only thing I'm not sure of is whether or not Hand/RSS supports Atom-format feeds, like the one used by the Ectopic Brain. If anyone wants to try it, would you let me know?


posted by Kent 6:02 PM | |

 
Pedi-Dose

Pedi-Dose was written to do the simple but repetitive mathematical tasks required when treating pediatric patients. The program's author, Dr. Martin Beattie, is an emergency physician practicing in a retirement area of Florida. Consequently, he found himself looking up almost every medication for mg/kg dosing because he uses them so infrequently. Pedi-Dose is offered as "charityware", meaning that if you find the program useful, you are asked to donate $20.00 to the American Heart Association (in your own name).


posted by Kent 2:44 PM | |

July 5, 2004

 
Software Updates

Unbound Medicine recently posted new versions of several titles, including:

• Davis's Drug Guide
• Clinical Evidence
• Pocket Guide to Diagnostic Tests
• Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

Skyscape is offering new versions of:

• The Washington Manual
• Essentials of Diagnosis & Treatment in Cardiology
• The Hospital for Sick Children Handbook of Pediatrics
• Ident-A-Drug Reference 2004
• Clinician's Pocket Drug Reference 2004
• Emergency Medicine On Call
• The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary
• Merritt's Neurology Handbook
• Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2004 - Diseases and Disorders, Differential Diagnosis
• 2004 Oncology Nursing Drug Handbook
• The Osler Medical Handbook
• Saunder's Pocket Essentials of Clinical Medicine
• Frye's 3000 Nursing Bullets for NCLEX-RN
• Physician's Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual 2004
• Psychiatry Recall
• Management Guidelines for Nurse Practitioners Working with Adults
• Critical Care Handbook of the Massachusetts General Hospital

And last (but certainly not least), Mathias Tschopp has updated MedCalc, his must-have freeware medical calculator.

Source: PalmGear
posted by Kent 9:24 PM | |

Visit the Archives for previous news items.