pda use in nursing

Specialties Emergency

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I have a pda and use it frequently at work. I get ALOT of comment about being a gadget queen or techie nurse. It's funny because whenever anyone has a drug question they always come to me and ask for help. wanted to know if anyone else has been using their handheld for drug calculations and such. I highly recommend it.

thanks

kim

I just got the Tungsten E too! I was wondering what programs you use to play your MP3 music, view pictures, etc. Do you have to purchase the programs? If so, do you have any good recommendations for programs?

I appreciate your help! I am feeling a bit computer illiterate these days!

JenniferC

I use RealOne for MP3, Palm photos for pictures. The programs came with the CD for the Palm - I believe you can get them online too (Palmone.com) Hope you enjoy it.

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Does anyone know any PDA programs specific to OB?

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

It sounds like in Critical Care and ER, these things are da bomb.

Do you think it'd be worth it for me? Our unit is Progressive Care, which translates into "Pts with Everything, and Who have a Cardiac Problem to Boot..."

This T5 looks like it'd fit into my pocket really easily. ;)

http://www.palmone.com/us/products/handhelds/tungsten-t5/photos/01.jpg

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Hi Kim, Well you are very avant- garde! I'm a nursing student, and our program is requiring us to purchase PDAs by this upcoming spring semester. The head of our nursing department is looking into Skyscape to work out a discount program for all of us students! My classmates and myself are looking forward to utilizing the new technology!! And thanks to all the other posts in this forum, they will be helpful in making choices with the software. I will have to pass this info on to the school.:specs:

I have a pda and use it frequently at work. I get ALOT of comment about being a gadget queen or techie nurse. It's funny because whenever anyone has a drug question they always come to me and ask for help. wanted to know if anyone else has been using their handheld for drug calculations and such. I highly recommend it.

thanks

kim

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I have wanted to get one of these for a long time but haven't been able to figure out whether a Palm or a Pocket PC would be a better choice. Any suggestions? Also, I would like to get one that would play MP3's and that would be very versatile.

Thanks for any help!!

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I have wanted to get one of these for a long time but haven't been able to figure out whether a Palm or a Pocket PC would be a better choice. Any suggestions? Also, I would like to get one that would play MP3's and that would be very versatile.

Thanks for any help!!

I've had limited experience with a pocket pc and have used a palm for ages. So, I might be biased, but I like the palm platform better. Its so much easier to use and a lot of the pda programs are in the palm format, I think? The new plam zire line is affordable, it has a colored screen, enough memory for a few "in house" programs, memory is expandable and it plays mp3!

Are we allowed to sell in here?:p

Coz I have an extra palm to spare, its brand new!

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Angie ... I'm not sure how useful it would be on a "quiet" unit - if there is such a thing anymore ... but anywhere you have lots of things going on would be a help. Sounds like that would definately include your unit. Major uses that Ive found since I started using it ...

I keep my calendar with me all the time-no more "I'll let you know if I can pick up that shift ... I have my schedule right there"

The medical programs that I always have at my fingertips, and use at least once a shift: a drug guide (our hospital subscribes, we get it free), a pathophysiology/disease diagnosis guide, and a lab reference (esp that "why" part) - because I'm in ER, I also use the ACLS & ABG programs a lot

I keep my contacts updated too, and can email or call whoever I need - whether to help find work coverage, or personal reasons - helps me stay intouch - plus reminds me of everyones birthday - I look really impressive :rolleyes:

I always have pictures of my family, vacation, etc with me ... no more spoiling the prints, having to remember them, etc. Lots better at bragging about the kids :)

I have lots of music on the card ... one less excuse to not work out after a shift - OK, that one doesn't always work, but I do use it, and it works pretty well.

Others will have other ideas about what are really useful ...but that might give you an idea of how it gets used.

As far as whether to go with Palm or PC ... my understanding is that they are starting to be pretty comperable. Palms can run Windows stuff now, and with the memory cards PCs don't have the space issues that I guess used to be a problem. Probably just need to play with someone's and see what you like - either should be fine ... just have some idea of what you want to include - price varies wildly, and there's no sense paying for what you won't use!

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Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.

I have a Dell Axim X3 that runs Windows Pocket PC. I have Medical Wizard's ER Suite 5.0, Tarascon Pocket Pharacopeia and ePocrates. There are lots of good programs out there and if you do a search of threads you will find one that contains lots of the very same info that is here plus a whole lot more. As for selling anything....ya might want to talk it over with Brian and see if he minds or has any suggestions. Happy nursing with high tech gadgets (which I would be so lost with out now... :chuckle )

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i love the skyscape programs. i have drug hndbk 2005, manual of nursing practice, taber's, rndiseases, rnlabs. it cost me quite a bit but its all worth it. i also use epocrates to check interactions. great stuff.

i also love the skyscape programs. i was contemplating getting the 2005 drug handbook. is it really that great? worth investing in?

thanks,

kim

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I have been carrying a Pocket PC around for years as a paramedic - we have lots of pockets in our uniform :) . I am new to the nursing world and to wearing scrubs. Do you carry your PDA on you all the time or do you leave it at your work area. I am afraid that I would drop it in my pocket?
i have a belt clip for mine. my pocket pc is held in a leather case that has a "little metal thingy" (sorry i don't know the technical name for that thing)that locks into what looks like a pager or cellphone clip. it is very easy to detach and use and the leather case flips open. the case is held closed with a magnet. I LOVE it.

hope this helps

kim

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I just got an Axim X30 pocket PC and I love it. I finally decided to go with that because I am so used to the windows platform that I wanted to stick with that even in my PDA. It seems like palm got a HUGE jump in the market but that pocket PCs have been catching up pretty fast. With the weight of Microsoft behind it I figured that trend would continue and there would continue to be more software for the pocket PC. Plus most of the programs that are in windows have free pocket pc versions if you have it on your your computer (Money, Streets and Tips)

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i also love the skyscape programs. i was contemplating getting the 2005 drug handbook. is it really that great? worth investing in?

thanks,

kim

yes, i think it is. just for the portability and ease of looking up a drug makes it all worth the $40 something dollars that skyscape charges for. the nursing drug handbook works for me because it tells u the IV compatibility, RN considerations, pt teaching with the usual A/E's, C/I's and interactions. this particular rx guide even has pictures of the pills! the davis rx guide seems to have more stuff in it, even has herbal medicines incorporated in. i chose the RN drughandbook simply because it has information on setting up IV's, which was more impt to me.

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