How do you typically check medicines?

[mitral]

New nurses often don't know many of the drugs, so I'm wondering how do you usually check medicines: uses, interactions, side effects, allergy cross overs, all of that? Especially since we're supposed to know all of that on each med before we pass it, is there a quick, easy way? We don't get phone reception or Internet on our floor, either (someone suggested the web.) any ideas would be appreciated, I'm more than a little nervous about it.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Back in the day we used drug reference books that were kept on the med carts.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

If you have a newer electronic MAR, you may have the information.. Ask pharm.. we can click on the med and to the right is a box that gives all the info in simple terms. Its great, also helps when a pt has questions because it is all right there. No hunting :)

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

We have drug books in the med room and our hospital's formulary is available on our intranet.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Drug books.

My facility has computer charting and on our EMARs you can right click for reference information. We also have Lexicomp built into our computers. I also use Micromedex on my phone (free app!)

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Medscape on my phone, mostly. Of course the reference books for more specific info. We have Lexi and Krames

[RNewbie]

It's crazy that you do not have internet. I use micromedex or lexicomp. If I still have concerns I call the pharmacist. There is usually a drug book on the unit tho. I find myself looking up meds all the time.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I use Micromedex. Either phone or Intranet version. I need to show this to some new grads at work now. If I get asked again what a beta blocker or statin is for... I may run over myself with the med cart. Look it up before you ask

[Aurora77]

We used to have Micromedex which I loved. Then my hospital switched to Lippincott--the drug guide is horrible! It has so little info, I don't even bother, I go with our drug books. I think we have Davis.

I didn't know Micromedex had a free app, I'll look into it. I miss it!

[Leonardo Del Toro, RN]

I use Medscape on my iPhone. It's free and it rocks. Easy to use and provides all info you need. Just make sure you keep it always updated because you don't want to wait long downloads before you need information on a hurry as the app wont let you use it until updates are done.

[mitral]

Thanks for the great responses! I'm downloading micromedex and medscape now, I'm really hoping that they will work erm, at work. :) (by not having Internet I just mean easily accessible. The computers at the nurse stations do have access once you log in, but that is nowhere near the meds so it'd be time consuming to look it up that way)

[LaceyRN12]

I bought myself a tablet and got the Davis Drug Guide application.

VERY HELPFUL.