Having a PDA at work.

[Katie5]

Would you advise this or would you say no to it? Please give reasons for whatever said you take. Thanks

[PedsDrNurseTheo, ADN, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, EMT-P, NP]

I used to have a PalmPilot that I carried everywhere - now I carry my iPod Touch. It has my medCalc, my Tabers, my Davis Drug Guide, my Diseases & Disorders reference, my lab values and tests lookup (for the ones I don't use every day) and a wifi setup so I can google something if I need to look it up at bedside.

Yeah, I use it. Yes I like it. Could I do my job without it? Sure - but it definitely makes the job easier.

[emtb2rn, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Also carry a pda. Makes it easy to answer questions at the bedside and look up drug info while standing at the pyxis. It's just another tool. Drug guide, iv drug guide & tabers are the most useful.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I carry one as well. I do use it, and I like it. It's much more user friendly than what the hospital provides (Micromedex). The only thing I wish I had was a compatibility checker, like on Micromedex. Checking compatibilities on my palm requires scrolling through a list, which is kind of a pain. Other than that, I find it very useful.

[emsboss]

I carried a PalmPilot for years, used Epocrates on it(the $149 version). I now have it(Epocrates) on my iPhone and still use it daily, drug lookup, compatibility, infectios disease, labs, math formulas, etc. Could I do my job without it? Yup. Does it make my job easier? YUP! Just make sure you keep the battery charged...

[Hoozdo, ADN]

I carry one as well. I do use it, and I like it. It's much more user friendly than what the hospital provides (Micromedex). The only thing I wish I had was a compatibility checker, like on Micromedex. Checking compatibilities on my palm requires scrolling through a list, which is kind of a pain. Other than that, I find it very useful.

I have one and love it. Virgo RN, have you used the program IV Meds? I bought in on skyscape. That is my most frequently used application. I usually have to check compatibilities several times a shift.

My hospital also has Micromedex, but if I am in the pt's room or the med room, I use my IV Meds PDA program.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I have one and love it. Virgo RN, have you used the program IV Meds? I bought in on skyscape. That is my most frequently used application. I usually have to check compatibilities several times a shift.

My hospital also has Micromedex, but if I am in the pt's room or the med room, I use my IV Meds PDA program.

Oh yes, that's probably the application I use most frequently. Since we have bedside computers though, I can use Micromedex at the bedside, or in the med room. Micromedex also has a pill identifier, which I have used several times, finding pills in the person's linens or on the floor, etc.