Critical Care Pocket Guide & Calculator

Specialties Cardiac

Published

Hi,

I have been working in PACU for the last 7 years and am returning to an open heart intensive care unit in a few weeks. I remember seeing a nifty little gadget about the size of a calculator and it did include calculator features with it. It was a critical care pocket guide that listed things like common drips used - how they're mixed - major algorithims - cardiac calculations and just a host of great info all contained in a pocket sized gizmo that looked and functioned as a calculator. Just can't remember who makes it and where I can get it. Anybody know? Thanks.

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Hi...I recently started to work in the Er. I was searching for the same item as you. I did find one item online that you may want to inquire about. The item is called the Apothecalc Calculator. Go to web site....(www.eLittmann.com) or go to (www.estethoscope.com)......maybe this item may be of some help......

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I got a palm handheld for christmas. It's very nice, the one I got has 8M of memory and cost $250. You can get a handheld computer for ~$600, that has 32M memory, even. I've downloaded a lot of info onto it for free from different websites (2 drug books, a ABG decoder, drip doser, Pediatric emergency dosage calculator, etc). There are lots of other info you can put on it for purchase. Pretty cool. If you're interested, I'll be glad to post the websites for the downloads.

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Hi- I know the book you're talking about. It's really good!

I have something similar- it's roughly 4x6 inches, navy blue, called "Fast Facts" by Kathy White. The smaller one has laminated reference cards in it- this has paper pages but has hung in there well for me for 3 years. I like mine a bit better, but I work ICU, not ER. Fast FActs has sections for each body system plus drip calcs, fluid and lytes info, good detail on PA's and EVD's. I added the optional Trauma section. Doesn't have a calculator, though. smile.gif

I think you can buy both at medical bookstores and at some nursing sites/catalogs; you can order Fast Facts at www.kathywhite.com.

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PDA users - here is a helpful website.

http://www.rnpalm.com/index.htm

There is lots of useful information, links and free shareware.

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Specializes in HH, Hospital, Doc's office.
Originally posted by justanurse:

I got a palm handheld for christmas. It's very nice, the one I got has 8M of memory and cost $250. You can get a handheld computer for ~$600, that has 32M memory, even. I've downloaded a lot of info onto it for free from different websites (2 drug books, a ABG decoder, drip doser, Pediatric emergency dosage calculator, etc). There are lots of other info you can put on it for purchase. Pretty cool. If you're interested, I'll be glad to post the websites for the downloads.

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Specializes in HH, Hospital, Doc's office.

Sorry my last post didn't work right. I have a handheld with Windows CE and was wondering if there are any websites for the RN that are Windows Ce compatible?

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Specializes in Critical care.

The small book you refer to is the Critical Care Checkmate, comes with a calculator and color coded information like ACLS alog., Drip charts, Lab values, PALS info, etc. You can choose from many different types, Critical Care and Emergency Care are the two I remember seeing. The pocket checkmate is put out by NNCC. The website is www.nnccusa.com. I believe the cost is about $40. I really like mine, it has come in handy more than once, even had an MD looking at for info. Hope this helps... Good luck with your career change.. I too will be changeing roles (new critical care educator) at the hospital I work at, and am looking forward to it....Again good luck...

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Hi, telemetryrn.

Here are the sites I have found helpful with my palm:

www.rnpalm.com/software.htm

www.pdamd.com

This one will probably have more options for you, since your software probably differs from mine. If you can find and download epocrates drug book, I highly recommend it. It is very up to date and I enjoy having the information right in my pocket without having to carry around a big book.

www.memoware.com/Category=Medicine_ResultSet=0.htm

This one has a lot of programs. For many of them you have to download/buy a special reader. If you are careful and determine which types of files you can download, you can pick and choose what you want.

www.pdabookstore.com

This one has many little stories, etc that can be downloaded for reading during your spare time on the job.

Good luck and I hope these help you out.

[This message has been edited by justanurse (edited February 21, 2001).]

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Specializes in HH, Hospital, Doc's office.
Originally posted by justanurse:

Hi, telemetryrn.

Here are the sites I have found helpful with my palm:

Thanks justanurse, I'll check those sites out. I appreciate the info.

telemetryrn

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I have the Critical Care Checkmate that JWRN mentioned and have found it to be a must-have in the CCU where I work. I ordered it from the website mentioned at a cost of $38.95 if I remember correctly. It has been worth every penny! Good luck on your move!

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Specializes in Home Health.

I also have the Critical Care Checkmate...love it! I also have the kathy white book, but I like the checkmate better, fits in the pocket easier, and also more water resistant pages, those tissue paper pages in the kathy white book just don't work for me, but I keep it in my bag to refer to, I like that neuro section, and IABP section better too.

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