use of ipods or iphones/ etc at work to store info

Published

I'm not sure if they are ipod touch or iphone or ???

but does anyone use one of these devices to hold useful information pertinent to nursing?

I'm not even sure if such a device would do this but how wonderful would it be to store lab values, info about common drugs, have a calculator, and valuable phone numbers right at the fingertips?

In the notes section you could make quick notes to yourself to document later..and also record reminders to yourself.

Of course personal info about patients could not be stored but info that you use over and over again could be..

What about loading the training videos of nursing procedures? There are a series of teaching videos on youtube that helps nurses review basic skills..wouldn't that be great to have a virtual coach to refresh how to do something?

Taking it a step further, how about communication with a doctor? Imagine texting a doctor and having them text back an order..we wouldn't have to try to figure out their handwriting ..it would be typed out so there would be no error made from misinterpreting the writing.

The question is, do hospitals and ltc units allow nurses to use these? They would be very valuable for a travel nurse as well, or someone working in home care doing visits.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm not sure if they are ipod touch or iphone or ???

Taking it a step further, how about communication with a doctor? Imagine texting a doctor and having them text back an order..we wouldn't have to try to figure out their handwriting ..it would be typed out so there would be no error made from misinterpreting the writing.

We use our desk computer to text our cardiologists. My students use PDAs for their drug book rather than drag that thick book around all day. I don't mind the idea of texting but you can bet JCAHO will eventually get involved. They will want printed evidence of the text to make sure no unauthorized abbreviations are used. Can you imagine the confusion with orders if the common texting abbreviations are used??? OMG!!;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked with nurses who did this, use the I Pod/Phone to pull up lab values and ect. I see that more physicians are doing this also. Seems to work for them, and it certainly impressed me!

The idea about videos streams of infrequently preformed procedures is really good. Better than running back to the look at a picture in a book, or read a dry, featureless SOP.

You are obviously one of the 'early adapters' high tech.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

lol yup we would have to agree to non-text language :) everything would have to be fully spelled out

wondering if iphone would provide a printed copy of all text messages in case something like that came up..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey Kid... was just toying around with the same idea myself. Was thinking of just an iTouch. I know that phoning etc. is frowned upon on the floor, so with a touch, rest assured it'd just be info I was accessing. Also, good to reserve just for work. like my shoes. I just would want the drug info too. I wonder which app is the best, I have noticed some classmates mention that often full info is missing. I hope people do chime in on which is best. I'd love to do Apple compatible apps. Also would like to generate my own reference sheets... wonder if word files can be uploaded?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Skyscape has a TON of nursing apps for a PDA/itouch. I have nursing constellation, so I have Tabers, Drug guides, IV med book, drug calculators, Lippencott's nursing practice book, etc., in my pocket. Our books have always walked off to another floor, been locked behind the NM's door, etc., at 0300 when you have got to know about a med, or does that chest tube box bubble or not...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Skyscape has a TON of nursing apps for a PDA/itouch. I have nursing constellation, so I have Tabers, Drug guides, IV med book, drug calculators, Lippencott's nursing practice book, etc., in my pocket. Our books have always walked off to another floor, been locked behind the NM's door, etc., at 0300 when you have got to know about a med, or does that chest tube box bubble or not...

I have the Davis Drug Guide, Tabers and information on Diabetes in my PDA. Very useful, but I don't carry it around like I used to because I noticed I had a habit of sitting it down and I don't want to worry about this thing growing legs. I do carry it to health fairs, however.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pulmonary, MICU.

A ton of physicians and NP's use ePocrates. As soon as it is available for my phone I will get it. ePocrates has a free drug guide download, as well as a paid-for full program that has a lot of very useful features (type in a few symptoms and it will get you some differential diagnoses, click on a diagnosis and it will give you lists of lab values to check as well as methods to treat it).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Practice, Mental Health.

I'm using my Iphone to respond to this post. I take my iPhone to work with me and use the applications that I've downloaded to doublecheck my critical care type calculations. I look up meds and dosages and interactions, I figure out corrected calcium levels, anion gaps, acid/base balances and vent settings.

There is a TON of info out there. Be careful about using an application for a crutch until you're sure that there's not been a programming snafu done. Remember - there's no technology out there that replaces the value of an alert and well educated RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

epocrates is also set up for ITOUCH..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

ohhhh I love you all!! am so excited about this..was out looking at iphones earlier today but the AT&T plan is so expensive and I'm stuck with t-mobile for another 20 months. Might just look into the itouch or maybe another i touch device

how exciting about the med apps..I have started to google a few online as well and will check into the ones suggested here.

thanks to all..hope to see more responses too

good idea on keeping an itouch just for work

would be so cool to be able to photograph the progression of something like wound care and instantly send to your physician for quick feedback..can you imagine working homecare and being able to email or text a photo for quick clarification, or to reference with another nurse (per diem who may not have seen the patient before)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment