[dkemper]

I am a LPN working in a Psych facility for one year before returning to finish RN, BSN, MSN. I am currently researching PDA based Nursing software and SmartPhones on Verizon service.

So far it seems like the only integrated software is ePocrates and PEPID. PEPID seems to be the most in depth when reviewing their feature matrix comparing ePocrates, PEPID, and other PDA/SmartPhone based Nursing software. I like the feature in PEPID for diagrams and graphics to support the nursing information. Also the capability to compare up to 50 drugs for interactions.

I have also been looking at the Samsung SCH-i760 smartphone and others for Verizon service. This phone seems to be a standout and able to handle everything, also has Windows Mobile 6 Professional and has a touch screen, and is also a phone. It is a little bit more bulky than I desire.

Verizon does not have demo units but offers a 30 day trial period that allows returning the unit for a full refund and returning to my old phone no charge. PEPID offers a 14 day trial on any of their software, PDA or online.

The only other consideration is the up front costs and the on going costs. Approximately
$250 for the smartphone after promos,
$35 per month additional for Verizon (approximately $90 total monthly),
$120 for 12 months PEPID RN.

Another consideration is the life cycle of the smartphone, I anticipate 2 to 3 years max before it is outdated or Verizon switches their cell phone network to the standard of the world rendering the phone useless then.

I haven't fully justified the financial outlay but I will likely go this route and use it as a tax write-off for work or education. Additionally the smartphone can do a ton of other things; (video, MP3, email, Internet, games, other programs, IM, etc.)

I would appreciate any feedback about my thoughts and other combinations I should consider.

Thank You
Dave K., LPN, MCSE, CCNA, computer geek.

[dkemper]

I purchased the i760 smartphone yesterday and have been experimenting with the features. I installed PEPID for Clinical Nursing 14 day trial. There are 2 versions for the SmartPhone. The SmartPhone version is a no install web version and the other version is for PDA. I tried both version and the PDA version is much easier to read plus the advantage is I have the data locally on my phone should I loose the cellphone connection.

I have only just started using the PEPID software and have not taken the tutorial. So far it seems to be effective and easy to use. I also plan on trying the trial version of ePocrates on the SmartPhone to compare later this week.

Are there other integrated suites for I should check out?

Dave K.

[dkemper]

I LOVE it!

I'm getting hooked real quick on the Verizon i760 Smart Phone. I haven't done much testing of the integrated Nursing applications from ePocrates, PEPID, or Skyscape yet, mostly getting familiar with how this phones operates and installing various applications to test.

I will focus on the Nursing applications since this is a Nursing PDA/Smart Phone forum.

PEPID - can be directly installed from the Internet with an Internet connection on the i760.

ePocrates - can be directly installed from the Internet with an Internet connection on the i760.

Skyscape - Must be downloaded to a computer and synced to the i760 to install. this is disappointing since you must use another computer to get Skyscape on a Smartphone as compared to the other 2 application suites can be independently and directly installed and updated.

Each of these offer free trials of the Nursing suite.

The i760 can connect to the Internet through Verizon's Internet connection, WiFi if available, or Bluetooth to another device connected to the Internet. The fastest and easiest is connecting over a WiFi connection which is readily available in many public locations, businesses, and most homes with high speed Internet. Most of the time I use WiFi but if unavailable automatically connects over Verizon so I am never without an Internet connection for email, software updates, or searching the Internet Nursing questions.

Additionally, I subscribe to Audible.com and have purchased audio books which I download to my Smart Phone. Unfortunately to get these books on to the i760 I need to sync to my home computer on the Internet currently they do not provide a direct transfer to the i760 from the Internet. Audible.com has thousands of books and periodicals in audio format with many relating to Nursing.

A few resources are providing digital text versions of useful books but I have not had the time to explore these resources yet. I suspect the big text book companies like Elsivier and McGraw Hill probably have a PDA or Smartphone version of their books available. If anyone has an answer or link please post it.

Has anyone used the i760 or any other SmartPhone? In particular any touch screen models using Windows Mobile 6.

Dave K.

[dkemper]

I'm disappointed in Skyscape Constellation. After attempting to install twice and failing both times I emailed support. I also included my disappointment in not being able to direct install rather than syncing with another PC. Their reply did not even address the failed install:
********************************************
Dear Dave,

Thank you for contacting Skyscape Support and your interest in our programs. At this time we do not offer OTA installations for the Pocket PC or Palm devices. We do have it for the Blackberry and Nokia Symbian. Skyscape's goal is to provide our customers with the broadest choice in medical
information and in the devices they use to access that nformation. We continually strive to offer the most advanced features and functionality for the largest selection of mobile devices on the market, including newly released models. We are aware that OTA installations are being adopted by many companies. Please stay tuned and watch your email and the Skyscape website for breaking information about new releases as they happen.

If you require additional assistance in regards to this matter, you may contact me by reply email or at ***-***-****, extension ***. My office hours are Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5pm EST.

Warm Regards,
J
Manager, Skyscape Customer Care
************************************************** *****
Skyscape has lost my vote for multiple reasons, including a few I didn't discuss. I'm deleting this install tonight.

I have been working with both ePocrates and PEPID suites and I am starting to favor ePocrates with the ease to find what I am looking for and I really like the daily news concerning medicine and nursing. The only thing holding ePocrates to be an outright winner is the lack of graphics and diagrams that exist in PEPID. I also noticed PEPID had a fair amount of training materials for download in both PDF documents and video tutorials, but the videos and documents are very skimpy on instruction.

Last night I came across 2 other suites but have not checked them out or installed them.
Lexi-Nursing for PDA
UNBOUND: Nursing Central PDA

Lexi-NURSING SUITE includes:

• Nursing Lexi-Drugs
• Lexi-Interact
• Lexi-I.V. Compatibility
• Lexi-Lab & Diagnostic Procedures
• Lexi-CALC

UNBOUND: Nursing Central PDA

• Diseases and Disorders: A Nursing Therapeutics Manual, 3rd Edition
• Davis's Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications, 2nd Edition
• Davis's Drug Guide
• Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 20th edition
• Unbound MEDLINE
• Pictures and Tables!

Has anyone had experience with these 2 suites?

Dave K.

[CraigB-RN]

99% of the world is going to install he software by syncing with a computer. Those who are going to try to sync it all over the network are in the minority. Each of these programs are large in all case multi megabite. It's probably an unreasonable request to expect the technology to be able to do it all on the fly at this tme. If our looking for that, your best bet is a web based product.

Epocates does allow wireles updates. The problem is that epocrates i a precriber based program and not gears toward those of us who re giving the meds.

I d expect that over the next year or two, the tecnnology will catch up, but for now, I much prefer to control when and were my PDA updates, and when if crashes, and it will, being able to just plug it in and have it restored to were I last synced it.

[fragino]

Epocrates - seemed to be geared more towards MDs

Skyscape - you get your a desktop version of your pubs along with the PDA version

Unbound - (Never Again) - you get online access along with the pubs for one year. However in order to renew it after one year you have to pay the full price minus 20%.

Pepid - Never tried it.

I would really suggest a med guide like Davis geared towards nurses. When your clinical instructor asks you for the nursing considerations of a med it's a lot easier to look it up on Davis than to parse it out of Epocrates.

[AussieRN_1292]

Hi All,
I have been actively researching pda programs. The benefits of Skyscape is that although the subscription updates cease if not renewed, the purchaser can still continue to use their program on the pda. Also, you get a desktop version supplied for each program for free. Whereas Pepid will lock you out once the subscription time has ceased. Therefore to access their information the user has to renew their subscription.

I did have Skyscape on a TX PDA I purchased. I found it confusing and not straight forward to use with the cross linking of information. Unfortunately, I broke the PDA and didn't have the time to become familiar with its format. I do realise that many people like Skyscape and I accept that my exposure to it was limited. It has taken me a while to commit to a pda again, which I am about to do.

Skyscape and Pepid allow you to download their programs onto your computer to try them out. At least this way if you are interested both systems can be downloaded and compared.

I have been looking at Pepid, and have downloaded the trial online versions of the software I am interested in. I have to say I am very impressed, although the cost is a bit hard to take. However I am inclined to purchase pepid as it has everything I need in the Critical Care Nursing package (I'm a critical care nurse and it covers ventilation and haemodynamic monitoring, as well as procedures undertaken in ICU) and it is very easy to navigate.

It seems from reading posts on Allnurses that those who spend the money on Pepid like it, and those who are not prepared to use the other two programs. Pepid has a comparison of the Pepid ER and Skyscape 5 minute emergency including what is on offer and the prices of both.

I haven't used ePocates, so I can't comment on this one. Don't know if this helps. I would like to know other nurses thoughts and experiences with this.

Also thanks DaveK for the info on the two versions of Pepid, I haven't purchased my smartphone yet, so I've been downloading straight onto my computer. Will definitely go with the PDA version.

Cheers