Palms/pda in homehealth

paularn · Sep 24, 2002

Thanks to everyone for all your replies. I can see I have lots to learn!!!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Sep 25, 2002

RNPalm, I tried the last two of your links, and then just pdacortex.com, but the links would not work. Can you check it out?

The firts articke you cited is the one I referred to in my first post. Do you know of any of these agency's selling theit programs for individual use, or is there a shareware version we can download low-cost for individual use??

Everyone, I was chit-chatting with NRS Karen last night, who got a palm for her B-day (I am sorry, I must have missed your B-day NRS Karen!!) and I remembered the book that really really helped me. It's called How to do everything with your palm handheld, 2nd edition, by Johnson and Broida. I picked nit up at a CompUSA store $24.99 . All I did was get thru about 62 pages of it, and I was off and running. Yes it is manily about palm brand, but it does explain the diff's when applicable. I have a Visor, and it was very applicable for me. Handspring also puts out a book, but I liked this one better just by flipping thru it. I am fairly sure amazon.com carries this book too. If you really want to learn how to make the most of this amazing technology, of which I just hit the tip of the iceburg, get this book. It is a simple read w lots of pics.

globalRN · Sep 25, 2002

I love how Palms can help you to access information in a timely manner. A bonus is how organized it has made me. Since I had to apply for registration in different states/provinces(coordinating all the paperwork that took), take the ANCC exam for FNP AND apply for jobs while my travels took me through 3 countries ....having a PDA makes all the difference!!!

I remember laughing when I first read a reply from a person about why he loved his Palm: 'If it could cook too, I'd marry it right away'. I can understand his sentiments....I find my Palm indispensable.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Sep 25, 2002

Hoolahan:

Bought the book last night "How to do everything with your Palm Handheld" Third edition now available---got it at Borders same price. Very easy read---reminds me of the "Dummy" series of books which is how I learned many computer programs.

Now to find time to read it with new position. Must do schedule first so I can fit in all my meetings!

Links worked fine this AM.

RNpalm · Sep 27, 2002

Originally posted by hoolahan
RNPalm, I tried the last two of your links, and then just pdacortex.com, but the links would not work. Can you check it out?

The firts articke you cited is the one I referred to in my first post. Do you know of any of these agency's selling theit programs for individual use, or is there a shareware version we can download low-cost for individual use??

Hi I just checked the links and they seem to be working OK for me.

None of the organizations sell their products -- Jeneane Brian (VNAHHS) tells me each organization has a different approach to documentation and therefore their solution would not work well for an individual who wanted to implement it on their own --- an organization wide solution may be a different matter, but they have no current plans to sell the solution.

Regards

Ken

RNpalm · Sep 27, 2002

Originally posted by hoolahan
I remembered the book that really really helped me. It's called How to do everything with your palm handheld, 2nd edition, by Johnson and Broida. I picked nit up at a CompUSA store $24.99 . All I did was get thru about 62 pages of it, and I was off and running. Yes it is manily about palm brand, but it does explain the diff's when applicable. I have a Visor, and it was very applicable for me. Handspring also puts out a book, but I liked this one better just by flipping thru it. I am fairly sure amazon.com carries this book too. If you really want to learn how to make the most of this amazing technology, of which I just hit the tip of the iceburg, get this book. It is a simple read w lots of pics.

Another excellent book (just released) is Handheld Usability by Scott Weiss http://handheldusability.info/

Scott will be speaking at IMICH 2003 http://www.pdacortex.com/IMICH2003/ (info will be posted to the site in Nov/Dec 2002) but you can get a feel for what IMICH is about by visiting the IMICH 2002 site http://www.pdacortex.com/IMICH2002/

And due out in 2003 (it's being edited now) is a new book entitled "Handhelds in Medicine" co authored by 6 of the industry's leading experts, including 3 RNs!:

Yvonne Stolworthy

http://www.pdacortex.com/Bios/Yvonne_Stolworthy.htm

Sylvia Suszka Hildebrandt

http://www.pdacortex.com/IMICH2002/speakers.htm#Suzka

&

Jeneane A. Brian

http://www.pdacortex.com/IMICH2002/speakers.htm#Brian

Regards

Ken

nightingale, RN · Mar 2, 2003

I am stll researching doing home health (again). I am wondering about the possibilities of using a handheld device as an adjunct for reference information and notes etc.

Anyone using a handheld? Would you care to share what programs and benefits you have incorporated into this incredible little power house of hardware?

Thank you in advance.

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Mar 2, 2003

Hi Bonnie,

I use my own personal one, my company is waaaaaay too cheap to do anything this useful for us.

I have no special programs other than what came with it, except for epocrates. epocrates is a drug program. There is a free version you can download, but the latest versioon is just not up to par w the last version that was free, but it will at least tell you the doses and drug interactions, hard to figure out the indications sometimes.

Here is a thread where I have described in detail how I use mine in HH... http://www.allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22906

Carla Ballew · Mar 5, 2003

I have been using a PDA (IPAQ) since last November I have several nsg referances loaded into it that I use frequently--Lexi-Comp drug guide, 5 Minute Clinical Consult, Pepid RN This is my personal PDA I work as a wound and ostomy(ET) RN in home health and use my PDA to keep track of pts I see along with what recommendations I have made for their care I also use the calendar function to keep track of what offices I will be in weekly as I cover 4 at this time It has really helped to keep me organized I use a company laptop to enter pt notes/assessments All the above nsg software does cost but there are also some freeware you can use--more available for Palm users

nightingale, RN · Mar 5, 2003

Thank you to you two for posting!

Carla? What hardware PDA did you purchase?

I was looking at the Handera 330 but it looks like it will not interface with my Windows ME on my laptop.

Thank y'all! Now I will go check out the other website Linda... thanks!

nightingale, RN · Mar 5, 2003

Have you been pleased with your Visor Hoolahan? I like that model the best becuse of the expandability and COLOR. Do you feel like you have enough battery time to get your through the day?

GREAT post... thank you to all.

Bonnie

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 5, 2003

Merged threads together as same info.

Haven't had time to play with PDA as trying master new work database. Not enough free time brain cells left.