NEOFAX, where art thou?!!!

Published

Neofax....the holy grail of NICU meds is $1000+ for a 4 year old "good" copy on Amazon.com! :uhoh3: What the freak?! There is an app (which I have) and facilities can buy the intranet (if you're lucky) but, I NEED a hardcopy up to date book!

Think if I petition the publisher they'll start reprinting those beloved spiral bound gems of the NICU?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I agree!! Sometimes, you need a BOOK, in your hands! Not on a screen. jmo. If your facility subscribes to Micromedex, it's good, but, passwords, etc. Ugh. Don't need a password to open a book.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, TCU, NICU.

It is my understanding that Neofax has stopped printing actual books and the most current one is the blue 2011 version. It is online or app only, which is ridiculous. Surely there have been enough complaints to warrant them actually printing the thing again? I'm on board with ya!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

My guess is that they are worried about people using an out-dated NeoFax since neonatal medicine is always changing. Plus it's cheaper and makes more money to use an app that you have to subscribe to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, having a good old book is soooo much easier for me. I understand that they can update easier electronically, but it is such a pain using the app sometimes. I really would love if they published a new copy every couple of years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I guess "real" books are too expensive. I miss them, altho my Kindle is the bomb!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Yea, I tried to buy one a couple of months ago and saw the ridiculous prices out there. Problem is, several things from the even "recent" 3-4 year old versions have changed. Where I work, they expect you to use their online resource (which isn't that great for neonatal meds). If that doesn't give you the answer you want, call the pharmacist. If you go and use an outdated resource and something untoward happens, you will not have a leg to stand on.

The big issue I have is that with the old Neofax, there were very "generous" standards for what could infuse with what. Our new online guide just doesn't have those lists. Pretty much according to them, nothing is compatible except maybe TPN and lipids. The Neofax understood the extremely limited venous access of the neonate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

I had the same sort of problem when I worked in a 10 bed Level 2 nursery. I had come from a larger Level 3, and we were soooo spoiled, we had our own pharmacist. Used to have "disagreements" w/the smaller hosp's pharmacy when they would give me the wrong dose or something. And, if we had a code, the pharmacist @ the Level 2 had a hard time figuring the doses, etc. They'd give me a big bag of Dopamine, premixed, I had to try to figure out how to use it! I prayed a lot. And did a lot of math.

But the other book I gave the link to above seems promising.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you prmenrs!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes, I am also having the problem of using an outdated Neofax book. We actually have several on our unit. I have the phone version but it is subpar in a high stress situation because I have to fumble with typing and searching through the phone. Our online system is geared towards adults so, the outdated neofax is pretty much THE RESOURCE for us.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion