Helpful PDA programs?

Unbound Medicine has software for PDA's that is specific to anesthesia. For general critical care, vent calculations, RSI calculators, and other critical care topics that may help you in your practice, look at Theresqshop software. This program was developed by a former flight nurse/paramedic. He is currently finishing his clinical year as a SRNA, and I have found much use for his program in my practice. (Non anestheia however.)

Thanks GilaRN!! Also, I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best handheld device if I want to have a lot of programs on it (so one with a lot of memory/capable to add more memory). I have a Tungsten Palm that's about 3 years old which we were required to purchase for undergrad. A lot of my Anesthesia classmates have those palm/cell phone combinations. I like the idea of your phone/pda all being in one place so you only have to carry one device with you- but does anyone know about the capabilities as far as memory is concerned? Thanks!!

Depends on the device. Even the older devices such as the Treo 650 push about 20 megabytes of memory. Your typical medical program will require 1-3 megabytes of memory. The good thing about the current technology, is most devices use non volatile memory. So, the days of loosing your programs if the battery dies are over.

Find the software packages you like then research for devices that can run the software in question. I still find your older palm OS devices offer much more variety when it comes to third party applications. I am able to run TheResqshop, Epocrates, and Medical Wizards software easily with my Treo 650.

Many of the newer divices run Windows Mobile 5. Mobile 6 just hit the market, so the newest devices such as smart phones from HTC are using this OS. I find you are still a bit limited on third party application with devices that run Windows Mobile. Do not confuse the Windows Mobile software with the Windows OS that non-smartphone PDA's use. These are different in many cases.

One last note. The Iphone is not what I would call a smart phone. Third party software is very limited with this device. If you want an Ipod net browsing phone, the Iphone is your ticket; however, if you are serious about running medical software on your phone, stay away from the Iphone.

I have a Treo 680 (pda/cell combo) and absolutely love it. Plenty of memory for your programs and if you absolutely are worried about room you can add an SD card. I added a 1gig (If i can remember correctly) for pretty cheap, and to be honest, I didn't even need the extra memory. I honestly wouldn't go out and get a ton of stuff. I got some basics as you just aren't going to have time to sit in clinicals reading. I got some quick reference stuff:

epocrates: it's free and has a bunch of med calculators on it already.

sota amagoigui's anesthesia drug guide: like epocrates, but with an anesthesia focus.

mass general anesthesia procedures handbook just as a quick reference.

Tabor's medical cyclopedia- I just don't know everything i read and it's an awesome quick reference when quickly going over an H&P and see something that you can't remember or aren't 100% sure of.

The only other thing I'm thinking about getting is Stoelting's Coexisting Disease (I'm not even sure if it exists for a PDA.) and I'm waiting for the new one to come out in February or March. If it's not in PDA format, I'll probably just do the handbook then.

That's it for me so far and I hope this helps a bit.

Hi UCDSICURN. Thanks a lot for the helpful post, really appreciate it.

subscribing for future reference.

good info!

LifeLONGstudent

Anesthesia Clinical Tutor and Calculator 3.0

http://www.gasshead.com

Thanks alot folks, also had the same questions. Any more assistance is greatly appreciated. Hah, any of em that will do my care plans for me would be nice as well, lol

Sodiumpent

Thanks alot folks, also had the same questions. Any more assistance is greatly appreciated. Hah, any of em that will do my care plans for me would be nice as well, lol

Sodiumpent

sorry

Is anyone using the HTC touch? It just came out at Alltel but many reviews are saying it freezes up a lot. It is very cool, but my cell phone bill would go up $50 bucks a month for the smart phone plan.

Is anyone using programs on their blackberry? I noticed that some websites have PDA software that can be downloaded on blackberry's. I am debating whether to buy a PDA vs blackberry for school. Seems that if the blackberry has the same capabilities then it would be easier to just carry one device, but I am no phone-guru and can't decipher all the info! Your input would be greatly appreciated!

Is anyone using programs on their blackberry? I noticed that some websites have PDA software that can be downloaded on blackberry's. I am debating whether to buy a PDA vs blackberry for school. Seems that if the blackberry has the same capabilities then it would be easier to just carry one device, but I am no phone-guru and can't decipher all the info! Your input would be greatly appreciated!

Some things to consider...Does your school use clinical tracking software and will it be compatible with your device? Also, cell service in hospitals is scetchy and does your smartphone also have wifi or at least the possibility of a wifi adaptor?

-Smiley