Originally Posted by socalmedcareer
Hi, guys. I just got hired in an ICU as a new grad! It is a level II trauma hospital so I'm a bit scared but I'm also excited to start. While I was looking for ICU books I realized many of the books are offered in pda form. Do any of you use handheld or pda at ICU bedside? I would think it's easier than carrying several book with you every working day. If any of you do, please let me know what brand and model it is and pro and con of the specific brand you use. I'd also like to hear from those that had one and thinks that it's useless. I don't want to shell out the money and find out I don't need it. Thanks.
Ammie
I too begin on a new unit shortly, ICCU and want to purchase PDA to have readily available information. I know a nurse who has one and it really makes looking up meds much easier plus additional information can be download such as lab values and ICCU books that have information needed for the unit I will be working on.... however I too am confused as to which one to buy and hope someone technology oriented will post some information...... for now I will post what information I got from consumer reports
PDAs: For a networked world
IN TOUCH A PDA with Wi-Fi capability can link wirelessly to the Internet at hot spots in airports, hotels, and many McDonald's and Starbucks locations.
The personal digital assistant is evolving in ways that make it easier to use and better able to connect to the Internet and to other devices.
Two types of PDA dominate in sales to U.S. consumers.
Seventy percent use the Palm operating system (OS); (
Note I noticed that most stuff that I want is compatible to OS system like the kathy white material for ICU nurse)
the rest use Microsoft's Pocket PC software.
Here's what the latest models offer:
Designs tailored to the user. Some of the latest models can easily be operated with one hand, wirelessly send and receive e-mail, or readily fit into a pocketbook or shirt pocket.
Among Palm OS units, Sony has taken the design lead with built-in cameras and bigger screens.Better power management.
Some Pocket PC units have laptop-like power-saving schemes, but in our tests, only the Toshiba e805's made a difference: You can extend its battery life for an hour by slowing the processor's speed.
In some cases, fewer choices. Power-hungry color displays have nearly displaced monochrome; nonreplaceable batteries are standard for Palm OS models.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Consider your ties to a computer. Pocket PCs provide a Windows-like interface that allows simple PC-to-PDA file transfer with drag-and-drop capability.
They're also better than Palm OS models for setting up a Wi-Fi (wireless) e-mail connection. Most have replaceable batteries, along with accessible flash memory to which you can back up data.
Palm OS models run a wider range of third-party software applications than do Pocket PCs. For the basics, they're still easier to use.
While all PDAs can sync with Macintoshes, only PalmOne models do so out of the box. Sony units need software such as The Missing Sync (available at
www.markspace.com). That program and PocketMac (
www.pocketmac.net) work for Pocket PCs. Both are priced under $50.
Palm OS models: Basic features or innovative design? Differences exist between PalmOne's and Sony's Palm OS models. PalmOne models have more versatile e-mail software, when included, and their straightforward design makes them easier to operate than Sonys.
Sony models offer a wider range of designs for specific uses, such as one-handed operation or the ability to type while the PDA sits on a desktop.
Small size vs. extra features. As a rule, a model with a larger display or a physical keyboard won't be the lightest or smallest. A PDA with two slots for memory and peripherals is more expandable, but tends to be larger.
See our latest ongoing Ratings and model recommendations, which we update periodically with additional models and/or price and availability information.
Ratings PDA-HANDHELD
CR Quick Recommendations
See a summary of test findings and Quick Picks--the choices that merit first consideration including any CR Best Buys.
The Ratings tell you which models were easiest to use, had the longest battery life, and performed best overall. The table also indicates the models' major features. But finding the best PDA for your needs also means weighing price and other considerations. Quick Picks does that for you. It highlights good values in PDAs that our experts consider full-featured or especially well designed.
Quick Picks
For a basic organizer at a good price:
5 palmOne, $190
13 Toshiba, $265
The palmOne Tungsten E (5) and the Toshiba e405 (13) are well priced yet offer plenty. The palmOne lets you view pictures and see daily tasks at a glance. The Toshiba has a picture viewer and a voice recorder. Another unit, the palmOne Zire 21 (8), is the only monochrome unit tested. But while it's low-priced and fine for to-do lists and contacts, other monochrome units we've tested scored higher in battery life.
For a full-featured Palm OS unit:
1 Sony, $375
2 palmOne, $400
The Sony CLIE PEG-TH55 (1) has a better design than most other Palm OS models, plus a large display and exceptional battery life for a color unit. For the extra cost, the palmOne Tungsten C (2) has a usable keyboard and battery life eight hours longer, in tests, than that of the palmOne Tungsten T3 (3).
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For a Windows look and feel in a PDA:
11, 14 Hewlett-Packard, $400-$425
Both are well designed and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability. The Hewlett-Packard iPAQ h4355 (11) squeezes a usable keyboard and easily readable display into a slim case. The Hewlett-Packard iPAQ h4155 (14) is similar but, lacking a keyboard, costs less.
For a portable navigation system:
7 Garmin, $550
The Garmin iQUE 3600 (7) is the only unit tested to include a GPS-equipped navigation system. It was easy to use, though its battery life was lacking.
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Brand and model Price Overall Score Test results Features
Small type: similar model(s)
indicates a Quick Pick meriting first consideration.
CR Best Buy indicates an exceptional value.
PALM OS MODELS
1 Sony CLIE PEG-TH55$375
This was listed as the best of the OS undefined29MB Best battery life in this model
Below site recommended by consumer report and yahoo
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Sony%20C...sawNsaW5r?cb=1
2 palmOne Tungsten C $400
SEcond best of the OS undefined51MB
3 palmOne Tungsten T3 $400
Third best of the OS undefined 52 3.8
The following did not do as well in the rating in consumer report
4 Sony CLIE PEG-TJ37
CLIE PEG-TJ27 $170
$270 23 3
5 palmOne Tungsten E $190 29 3
6 Sony CLIE PEG-UX50 $500 16 3.3
7 Garmin iQUE 3600 $550 23 3.7
8 palmOne Zire 21 $100 7.3 2.7
POCKET PC MODELS (these are the pocket PC
9 ASUS MyPal A716 $410 This was scored high 56 3.5
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:ASUS%20M...sawNsaW5r?cb=1
10 Toshiba e805 e800 $600 $500 127 3.9
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Toshiba%...sawNsaW5r?cb=1
(The two above where scored the highest with the most memory, however I do not know if you are able to download the nursing material to these units since I am a novice I can not say with certainty I was interested in the kathy white material and it seemed compatilbe with the OS models but this is where some one who knows can tell us so we know of the above choices which is the best
I also have some websites that consumer reports recommended for the best price for these products I will see if they can attach to this posting
Hope some one can tell us which of these is the best for our purpose so far I think the sony clie is the one I see some nurses have but just would like to know for sure
These below did not do as well as the two previous Pocket PC
11 Hewlett-Packard iPAQ h4355
iPAQ h4350 $450
$425 57 3.5
12 ASUS MyPal A620BT
MyPal A620 $285
$380 55 3.5
13 Toshiba e405
e400 $250
$265 62 3.5
14 Hewlett-Packard iPAQ h4155
iPAQ h4150 $390
$400 57 3.5
15 Dell Axim X3
Axim X30 $200
$230 31.3 3.6
16 Hewlett-Packard iPAQ h2215
iPAQ h2210 $375
$350 57.1 3.6
The key to remember here that of the above there are two type the OS and the PC and I do not know which or if both are compatible with the nursing material that we would like to download as far as I can see the OS is what is posted at the sites that have downloadable material but I wish some one would clarify this
hope this does not confuse you but my hope is that it will help you make a purchase since that is my goal as well
Good luck
Would you like to comment?
). I hope you had a great one too. Certainly nice to hear from you again. 
