How often do you replace your Drug Guide Handbook?

nurseygrrl, LPN · Jul 12, 2004

Each floor at my facility gets a new drug book every year. They use NDH which I like. The book comes with a disk in the back for the computer and we take turns borrowing it so we can have the guide at home. Maybe you could do the same if your facility supplies drug books?

EvelynRN-BSN · Jul 12, 2004

Each floor at my facility gets a new drug book every year. They use NDH which I like. The book comes with a disk in the back for the computer and we take turns borrowing it so we can have the guide at home. Maybe you could do the same if your facility supplies drug books?

Thanks! I start working in September, so I am not sure what the facility does.

I have a 2003 and just bought a 2005 by Lippincott. I was debating if I should keep it or send it back.

dedjim · Jul 12, 2004

The way drug companies are shoving product onto the market you're nuts not to replace the thing every year.

OR you can get yourself an inexpensive PDA and load UDG or DAVIS or ePocrates and it will update every month. (even sooner woth some guides) All the same information as you'll find in the books, better to search, easier to carry (fits in your scrubs pocket) and has features a book can't (UDG has a built-in dosage calculator

I was wondering if you should replace you drug handbook every year since a new one is published every year. How often should you replace you drug guide handbook? How often do you replace it?

gail323 · Jul 12, 2004

the way drug companies are shoving product onto the market you're nuts not to replace the thing every year.
or you can get yourself an inexpensive pda and load udg or davis or epocrates and it will update every month. (even sooner woth some guides) all the same information as you'll find in the books, better to search, easier to carry (fits in your scrubs pocket) and has features a book can't (udg has a built-in dosage calculator

i agree - i've got epocrates on my palm and would not do without it.

sandy06 · Jul 13, 2004

what other features do you load on your pda? I have one and want to get the best "stuff" on it.

Audreyfay · Jul 13, 2004

I get a new one yearly and keep the old one at home. I tried putting it on my PDA, but found I used the book more...don't know why?

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2004

I usually buy one for myself every year...

Our hospital buys some every other year...but we also have PDR...

Ari RN, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2004

I guess I need to update my 2002 edition........

suzy253, RN · Jul 13, 2004

I also have a PDA and have Davis' Drug Guide on it now and it sends me updates via the computer. Very handy.

jschut, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2004

Our facility has a 1998...LOL! There is a newer edition too, I think a 2002. I like to have a personal one though. Haven't bought one since 2002, so I imagine I had better.

dedjim · Jul 13, 2004

what other features do you load on your pda? I have one and want to get the best "stuff" on it.

I recently set up 2 PDAs for use in our Barcode eMAR on the Acute floor of our little hospital and added UDG and... um... some Lab reference, name is escaping me...dang, this getting old is a pain... Anyway, I was going to add an ER reference but the PDAs never get down to the ER and the ER nurse is too busy to walk to the floor to get it, so I figured why waste the money. But I LIKE the application. Theres an updatable Procedures manual I'd like to add, too. Just have to convince the manager. You oughta check out one of the numerous sites devoted to nursing use of PDAs. PDA Cortex is my fave.