PDA Software for Nurses - Blessing Health Professions Library

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) Software for Nurses
Handhelds 101
Table of Contents: I. Vendors II. Drug Guides III. Diagnostic Test Guides IV. Medical Dictionaries V. IV Drug Guides VI. NCLEX Practice Questions VII. Medical Calculators & Immunization Schedule VIII. Nursing Software Package	Note: If you are using a personal or Blessing provided mobile device (i.e. PDA, cell phone, etc), please review the BCS policy BCSIMTS.011 - Mobile Device Policy and BCSIMTS.006 - Information Sensitivity and Classification to ensure that you are adhering to the policy requirements. These policies can be found in the Administrative P & P (BCS-BH) manual on your computer desktop. Health professionals must consider HIPAA when using PDAs to store patient information. Additional links to PDA medical resources are also available from the Blessing Health Professions Library. We offer this page solely as a source of information and regret that we cannot offer support or guarantees for the products described. Always consult multiple sources if you are unsure about the validity of medical information.
I. Vendors
Unbound Medicine: offers PDA software from Lippincott, FA Davis, McGraw-Hill, Oxford University Press, Wolters Kluwer, BMJ Publishing Group, and others for Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm OS, and Windows Mobile. Pepid Nursing Software: Pepid offers a variety of nursing software for Blackberry OS v. 4.1 (64MB or greater), iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm OS v. 4.1 or higher, and Windows Mobile 5.0 & 6.0. CollectiveMed.com: offers software from developers such as Skyscape, Pepid, Medical Wizards, and US Biomedical Information System for Blackberry, Palm, and Pocket PC. MedsPDA: offers software from Skyscape, Pepid, Medical Wizards, Weber, and more for Palm or Pocket PC only. Skyscape: Skyscape's products from multiple publishers cross-link with one another. Visitors to the Skyscape web site can click on "See what's inside" links to view the contents of most resources. Most of the products below were recommended because of their high quality, positive reviews, and ability to cross-link through Skyscape. Many of the recommended products can be purchased from the above vendors as well. Skyscape works with Blackberry, iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm, and Windows Smart Phone.
II. Drug Guides
Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses (F.A. Davis Company)	Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses offers 12 months of free updates for its over 1700 drug monographs. The monographs include information about indications, actions, pharmacokinetics, contraindications/precautions, adverse reactions/side effects, interactions, route/dosage, availability, assessment, potential nursing diagnoses, implementation, patient/family teaching, and evaluation. IV information is also provided when applicable. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (10.6 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (5.9 MB), BlackBerry (5.26 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (10.6 MB). A free desktop version is included.
Nursing2009 Drug Handbook (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)	The Nursing2009 Drug Handbook offers information on over 900 generic and 3,000 brand name drugs. The drug descriptions include details about routes, onset, peak, duration, interactions, adverse effects, half-life, pharmacological class, and more. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
Epocrates Rx Free	Epocrates Rx Free includes information on over 3,300 brand name and generic drugs. On- and off- label dosing guidelines are provided for adults and children as well as patients who have renal or hepatic problems. The monographs include black box warnings, adverse reactions, interactions, and contraindications/cautions. Safety and monitoring information is also provided. The software works with Palm OS 5.0 or higher (5.2 MB); Microsoft® Windows Mobile 5.0, 6 (4.9 MB); Microsoft Pocket PC 2002, 2003, 2003 SE (4.9 MB); Windows Mobile Smartphone 2003 (4.9 MB), iPhone, and BlackBerry OS 4.1 or higher (9.0 MB). Epocrates also offers a variety of other medical applications for handheld devices.
III. Diagnostic Test Guides
Davis's Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests With Nursing Implications (F.A. Davis Company)	This handbook covers over 410 diagnostic tests. It includes information about pre-test requirements, intratest procedures and monitoring, and post-test care. The tests and procedures can be accessed by name, abbreviation, synonym, disease state or condition, organ system, specimen type, or test classification. Details about related tests are also offered. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
Handbook of Diagnostic Tests, Third Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)	This resource includes both test results for over 500 disorders and detailed information on more than 550 laboratory and diagnostic tests. The laboratory and diagnostic test entries cover purpose, patient preparation, step-by-step procedures, post-test care, precautions, normal findings/reference values including SI units, abnormal findings and their clinical significance, and interfering factors. In addition, quick-reference guides detail normal laboratory test values and normal and abnormal serum drug levels. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
IV. Medical Dictionaries
Stedman's Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing, 5th Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins)	This medical dictionary includes over 51,000 terms and was designed specifically for nurses and allied health professionals. Nursing consultants contributed to the dictionary in order to insure its usefulness for nursing students and practicioners. Although a larger (107,000 terms) version of Stedman's Medical Dictionary is available, this software is likely to be a better value for most nurses and nursing students. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB)
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (F.A. Davis Company)	This medical dictionary includes 56,000 definitions. Over 700 illustrations and full color images are offered as well. A desktop version of the software is also included. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB).
V. IV Drug Guides
2009 Intravenous Medications (Elsevier)	This resource includes information about over 350 IV drugs. In addition, over 100 charts are provided with details on dosage, dilution guidelines, and monitoring. Detailed information is also available for drug compatibility, side-effects, dose variances for different patient populations, patient education, and unlabeled uses. In addition, ten medical calculators are included in the package. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
Manual of I.V. Therapeutics, 4th Edition (F.A. Davis Company)	This product was designed to emphasize practice guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Intravenous Nursing Society (INS), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Features for nurses include "Nursing Fast Fact" boxes to highlight critical content and "Nursing Points-of-Care" boxes to spotlight assessment and intervention guidelines. Information is also provided about IV therapy in home settings, cultural and age considerations, and step-by-step procedures for a variety of practices. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
VI. NCLEX Practice Guides
Lippincott's Review for NCLEX-RN	Lippincott's Review for NCLEX-RN offers over 5,000 test questions that reflect the current NCLEX test plan. Questions are organized by practice area, and alternate format questions are provided. In addition, five comprehensive tests that resemble the NCLEX-RN's format are included. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
Saunders Q & A Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination (Elsevier)	This review software offers questions organized by client needs and integrated processes. Detailed rationales are provided for the answers, and test-taking strategies are included to increase the likelihood that you will succeed. Critical thinking is stressed throughout the resource, and alternate item formats are offered in order to accustom students to new question styles. In addition, a comprehensive exam includes 300 questions and reflects the current NCLEX-RN test plan. Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB). A free desktop version is included.
VII. Medical Calculators & Immunization Schedule
Archimedes	Skyscape's free medical calculator offers 70 formulas for specialties such as cardiology, pharmacology, hematology, FEN, pediatrics, pulmonary, and renal. Available for Blackberry, iPhone, iPod Touch, Palm, PDA, SmartPhone, and Windows Mobile.
EBM Calculator	The EBM (Evidence-Based Medicine) calculator for the Palm OS is "designed to calculate relevant statistics for Diagnostic studies, Prospective Studies, Case Control Studies, and Randomized Control Trials (RCT)." The calculator is maintained by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Toronto.
MedCalc	MedCalc by is a free medical calculator with over 80 formulas. The calculator is maintained by Mathias Tschopp, MD. Available for iPhone, Palm OS, and Windows Mobile PC.
Shots 2009 (free)	"Shots 2009 is a quick reference guide to the 2009 Childhood Immunization Schedule, a collaboration of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the 2009 Adult Immunization Schedule, recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)."
VIII. Nursing Software Package
Skyscape Nursing Constellation: All-in-One Nursing Solution	This package of nursing- related applications includes both a PDA and desktop version. Note that a medical dictionary and IV Drug Guide are not included with the package. Supported PDAs include Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (48.3 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (27.8 MB), and Windows Mobile Smartphone (48.3 MB). Skyscape Nursing Constellation includes: Rx: Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses with built-in drug dosing calculation tools The Medical Letter's Adverse Drug Interactions Tool RxPlan Formulary Sx, Dx, Tx & Lab: RNotes: Nurse's Clinical Pocket Guide Labs 360° MobileDDx - Differential Diagnosis Tool Skyscape Stat: Archimedes 360° Medical Calculator ICD-9-CM Coding Tool MedAlert - Medical Alerts and Clinical Summaries MedStream 360° - Skyscape's dynamic medical information channels Medline 360° Guidelines: ACLS-PALS-NALS-AHA Guidelines *ACCF Guidelines Versions are available for Pocket PCs/Windows Mobile (17.2 MB), Palm OS 3.5 or higher (12.9 MB), BlackBerry (10.9 MB), Symbian (Nokia), iPhone, iPod Touch, and Windows Mobile Smartphone (17.2 MB).

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