New Option for Blackberry Good for Healthcare

Lexi-Comp software for BlackBerry® devices now available!

Lexi-Comp and BlackBerry have partnered to help healthcare providers GO MOBILE and improve point-of-care decisions. Our trusted drug information content is now accessible with the speed and effectiveness of BlackBerry technology. Realize the power of instant wireless connectivity and real time content updates.

Found on Lexi-Comp's website

PubMed

PubMed is probably the best search database online to find new information on drug therapy. It is available via the NCBI Entrez retrieval system and a product of the National Institute of Health (NIH). PubMed utilizes MEDLINE's biomedical database which contains citations for journal articles that date from 1950-the present. MEDLINE resources are indexed by the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) database which is a convenient way to search for certain topics relating to clinical practice.

PubMed contains more than just the MEDLINE database. Other resources available via PubMed include: Accessed on 11/20/2007 (http://www.nlm.nih.gov.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/pubs/factsheets/dif_med_pub.html)

* In-process citations which provide a record for an article before it is indexed with MeSH and added to MEDLINE or converted to out-of-scope status.
* Citations that precede the date that a journal was selected for MEDLINE indexing (when supplied electronically by the publisher).
* Some OLDMEDLINE citations that have not yet been updated with current vocabulary and converted to MEDLINE status.
* Citations to articles that are out-of-scope (e.g., covering plate tectonics or astrophysics) from certain MEDLINE journals, primarily general science and general chemistry journals, for which the life sciences articles are indexed with MeSH for MEDLINE.
* Some life science journals that submit full text to PubMedCentral® and may not yet have been recommended for inclusion in MEDLINE although they have undergone a review by NLM, and some physics journals that were part of a prototype PubMed in the early to mid-1990's.

When looking for information regarding treatment strategies as pharmacists, PubMed should be an important component of that search. This database offers a convenient and efficient search engine to find the most up to date research information available. This is particularly important clinically when forced with difficult patients who require complex treatment strategies. The best way to find answers to these difficult questions is to find the information needed to provide direction to the treatment strategy. PubMed includes new, reliable information, and links to full text articles of many of the referenced research studies. PubMed provides a nice way to locate new information that patients no doubt will be learning and asking their pharmacist about.

DynaMed Medical Reference

DynaMed is a clinical medical reference tool that was created by physicians for physicians and other health care professionals. It contains over 2,000 topics (diseases and conditions) that are updated daily via information from over 500 medical journals and systematic evidence review databases. Besides these topics, DynaMed now contains information on over 800 summaries from AHFS Drug Information. New evidence that is published in these journals is added to information already contained in DynaMed to come up with integrated, evidence based information on various topics. This drug information source is also available in a PDA application for Palm OS and Microsoft Mobile.

Each of the topics within DynaMed can be looked into further. There are 12 subtopics of information within most topics which include: general information, causes and risk factors, complications and associated conditions, history, physical, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prevention and screening, references including reviews and guidelines, patient information, and acknowledgements. The user can click on any of these 12 subtopics to get the information that the health care professional desires.

Specific information regarding the PDA version of DynaMed and compatibility:
From: http://www.epnet.com.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/dynamed/technical.php accessed on 11/11/2007.
Palms – Devices running Palm OS 3.5 and higher. For example: Palm m500 series, Palm m700 series, Treo series, Tungsten series, and Zire series
Pocket PC – Devices running Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 or Microsoft PocketPC 2000 (ARM/X-SCALE only), PocketPC 2002, PocketPC 2003, PocketPC 2003 SE.
Supported Devices:
Pocket PC 2000, Pocket PC 2002, Pocket PC 2003
Devices that use Intel StrongArm, X-Scale, and Samsung processors
Windows Smartphone
Note: The downloaded version of DynaMed is not compatible with Blackberry or iPhone but the Web-based version of DynaMed can be accessed with a wireless Internet connection on a variety of handheld devices. DynaMed requires 25 MB of disk space on either the PDA device or memory card.

Overall, DynaMed is a valuable reference if you want information grouped by medical conditions and health topics. There is some drug information available with this reference, but it is categorized by drug class rather than individual drugs. For example, there is not a topic for Lisinopril but there is a topic titled ACE Inhibitors. There is not a lot of drug information available in DynaMed as compared to Drug Facts and Comparisons or Clinical Pharmacology, but the available information on disease states could be valuable for a Clinical Pharmacist. I find the reference to be handy because it provides lots of information regarding disease states. It is probably more useful for MDs or medical students, but we as pharmacy students can find ways to utilize this source also.

Ultraportable Laptops vs All Purpose Laptops

Ultraportable laptops, aka mini laptops or sub notebooks, are a new wave of computers designed for people on the go. These technological newcomers are part of the "smaller is better" mentality when it comes to portable technology. However, is smaller necessarily better? I will look at the pros and cons of these novel devices.

The main positive that mini laptops bring to the table is their size. First, they are obviously smaller and lighter than regular laptops. Normal laptops usually have 14"-17" screens, while mini laptops screens are usually 10.6"-13.3" or under. Thickness is less than 1" for ultraportable laptops versus greater than 1" for all purpose laptops. Normal laptops weigh anywhere from 5.3lbs to 8.5lbs, while mini laptops weigh anywhere from 2.6lbs-4.5lbs. These smaller dimensions of ultraportable laptops make them easier to carry around. Another plus is that battery life is usually greater for ultraportable laptops compared to all purpose laptops.

There are many negatives when looking at ultraportable laptops. First of all, the size of these mini laptops can take some adjusting due to smaller screen size, smaller keyboard, and smaller mouse. Also, in order for these sub notebooks to be compact, hard drive capacity/performance as well as optical drives and other features (e.g. DVD burner) may have to be sacrificed. The other issue with ultraportable laptops are their relatively greater cost. On average, mini laptops cost $1275-$2558 whereas all purpose laptops prices range from $1000-$2314.

All in all, ultraportable laptops might not be the best choice for everyone. However, if you are a business person that is always using your laptop on-the-go, an ultraportable laptop would be the way to go.

Thomson Clinical Xpert vs Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition

Two commonly used drug references for point-of-care clinical decisions are Thomson Clinical Xpert and Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition. Both of them have their upsides and downsides. When comparing and contrasting these two drug information references, let's look at memory requirements, compatibility with PDA operating systems, program specifics, frequency of subscribing, and cost of subscribing. Let's look at Thomson Clinical Xpert first.

Thomson Clinical Xpert has been trusted for over 28 years for relevant drug information. This drug reference offers information on over 4000 drugs, including dosage (adult and pediatric), dosing adjustments, administration, how supplied, indications (FDA and off-label), contraindications, precautions, adverse effects (common and serious), drug interactions, pregnancy categories, breast feeding, common trade name, generic name, and class of drug.
There is also a drug interaction tool that can be utilized. Up to 32 medications can be checked at one time for: severity, onset, adverse effects, probable mechanism, evidence, and clinical management.
Laboratory information is also available including: identifying appropriate tests, interpreting test results, monitoring drug levels, collecting samples, submitting tests, and monitoring therapeutic levels and side effects.
Information about diseases can also be found in Thomson Clinical Xpert. This includes evidence ratings, test and treatment options, and daily studies and alerts.
Toxicology information like clinical effects, treatment, and range of toxicity are available as well.
Information on over 300 alternative medicines includes: class, dosage (adult and pediatric), contraindications, drug interactions, how supplied, administration, indications, adverse effects, pregnancy category, and breast feeding.
Calculators are built in to perform dosages (dobutamine, dopamine, epinephrine, heparin, nitroglycerin, nitroprusside, norepinephrine, phenytoin level adjustment), IV rates, and over 20 measurement conversions. Other specific topics that the calculator works for include CrCl, ACLS/PALS, body weight, surface area, and BMI.
News information is available for FDA announcements, disease information, clinical updates, and upcoming product launches and announces from Micromedex.
Thomson Clinical Xpert is available for Palm OS, Pocket PC, and Windows Mobile. The most current version (2006) costs $99.95 to download. If you are a healthcare professional that is part of an institution with a subscription to Thomson Clinical Xpert, you can download this for free if you have the correct information. Thomson Clinical Xpert also requires 20MB of hard drive space.

Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition has been a portable drug reference since 1987. This source include expanded drug information from the Deluxe Edition of the print Pocket Pharmacopoeia (Extensive pediatric drug dosing, unique Canadian trade names and drugs, typical drug dosing (FDA and off-label), available trade and generic formulations, metabolism, and safety in pregnancy and lactation).
A tool for multiple drug interaction checking.
Continuous ongoing drug information auto-updates.
A fully integrated herbal and alternative therapy section.
47 reference tables
9 medical formula calculators.
Relative pricing codes (from $ to $$$$$) and exact drug prices from www.drugstore.com.
Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition is available as a 12 month subscription from the manufacturer's website for $29.95 or from collectivemed.com for $37.95. It requires 4.5MB of hard drive memory for Palm OS and Pocket PC, and 5.2MB of hard drive memory for Blackberry.

Both Thomson Clinical Xpert and Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition can be acquired after purchase via downloading from the internet. Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition requires resubscribing every year to keep receiving up to date information (which will probably increase). I could not find any information on subsequent fees for Thomson Clinical Xpert.

I believe that Thomson Clinical Xpert has alot more to offer than Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia Deluxe, PDA Edition, including laboratory and toxicology information. Also, if you hold onto Thomson Clinical Xpert long enough, you will make up the difference in price (unless you were able to download it for free of course). The downside to Thomson Clinical Xpert is its higher initial cost, larger memory requirement, and lack of compatibility with Blackberry.

PDA Buying Help From Consumer Reports

all information is from consumerreports.org

PDAs are much more than address books; some handhelds are phones, internet devices, and video players. PDAs can store thousands of phone numbers, appointments, tasks, and notes. All models can exchange, or synchronize, information with a full-sized computer. To do this, you connect the PDA to your computer with a cradle or cable. For models that run on rechargeable batteries, the cradle doubles as a charger. Infrared, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi (wireless) let you synchronize with a computer without wires or a cradle.

Most PDAs can be made to work with both Windows and Macintosh computers, but PDAs with the Pocket PC operating system usually require third-party software for Macs. PDAs with Wi-Fi (wireless) capability can access the Internet. Many of those without can with the addition of a separately purchased modem. Most PDAs can record your voice, play videos, display digital photos, and hold maps, city guides, and books.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Most PDAs on the market are the familiar tablet-with-stylus type that feature a squarish display screen, a design pioneered by Palm Inc. Today the main choices are models that use the Palm operating system (OS)--mostly Palm models--and Pocket PC devices from companies like Dell. The latter use a stripped-down version of Microsoft Windows. A few PDAs use a proprietary operating system. Blackberry, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, Nokia, Palm, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson offer units that combine a cell phone and a PDA, often referred to as smartphones.

Palm OS systems. Equipped with software to link with Windows and (for Palm-brand units) Macintosh computers, Palm units and their clones have a simple user interface. You use a stylus to enter data by tapping an onscreen keyboard or writing in shorthand known as Graffiti. Some models have a tiny tactile keyboard. Or you can download data from your computer.

Most Palm OS-based PDAs can synchronize with a variety of desktop e-mail programs, such as Outlook Express and Eudora. (Palm models with VersaMail software are good at handling e-mail with attachments.) And all include a basic personal information management (PIM) application. Palm OS units are easy to use, although navigation between different programs is cumbersome because of the operating system’s “single tasking” nature.

Most models make it difficult or impossible to replace the battery yourself. And beyond the warranty period, you can’t be sure the manufacturer will do it for you.

Most Palm OS-based models have expansion slots that let you add memory or attach separately purchased accessories. All Palm OS-based PDAs can be enhanced by adding third-party software applications. The more free memory that a model comes with, the more software it can accommodate. There is a large body of Palm OS-compatible freeware, shareware, and commercial software available for download at such sites as www.palmgear.com. Many Palm models come with Documents To Go--word-processing and spreadsheet software similar to that used in Pocket PCs but more versatile. Price: $100 to $400.

Palm’s top-of-the-line model, the LifeDrive, combines a 4-GB hard drive with many of the best features of the Pocket PC and Palm OS operating systems. When it’s connected to a Windows PC, you can drag and drop files to the LifeDrive’s hard drive, even on PCs that don’t have Palm’s desktop software installed. It’s also handy for storing photos from a digital camera that uses a MMC/SD (MultiMedia/SecureDigital) memory card and for listening to MP3 music.

Pocket PC systems. These resemble Palm OS-based models but are more like miniature computers. They have a processor with extra horsepower and come with familiar applications such as a word processor and a spreadsheet. Included is a scaled-down version of Internet Explorer, plus voice recording and perhaps some financial functions. The included e-mail program handles Word and Excel attachments easily. Also standard is an application that plays MP3 music files, as well as Microsoft Reader, an eBook application.

As you might expect, all the application software included in a Pocket PC integrates well with the Windows computer environment. You need to purchase third-party software to use a Mac. And you’ll need Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Outlook on your computer to exchange data with a PDA. Pocket PCs have a color display and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Unlike most Palm OS-based PDAs, replacing the battery of most Pocket PCs is usually straightforward. Price: $200 to $600.

Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs). These are small, fully functional computers that run a version of Microsoft’s Windows XP. An early model, the Samsung Q1, released in 2006, has a 7-inch display, measuring 51⁄2 inches x 9 inches x 1 inch and weighing 1.7 pounds. It lacks a built-in keyboard and costs about $1,100.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Consider your ties to a computer. Pocket PCs provide a Windows-like interface that allows simple PC-to-PDA file transfer with drag-and-drop capability. They’re also more convenient than Palm OS models for setting up a Wi-Fi (wireless) e-mail connection. Most have replaceable batteries along with accessible flash memory to which you can back up data.

Palm OS models run a wider range of third-party software applications than do Pocket PCs. For the basics, they’re still easier to use. While most PDAs can sync with Macs, only Palm models do so out of the box. Programs such as Missing Sync and PocketMac support Palm OS PDAs from Garmin and others, as well as Pocket PCs that run older versions of that operating system, such as the Asus A730W. Currently, neither Missing Sync nor PocketMac support PDAs that run Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0. Both are priced under $50.

Small size vs. extra features. As a rule, a model with a larger display or physical keyboard won’t be the lightest or smallest. A PDA with two slots for memory and peripherals is more expandable but will tend to be larger.

Choosing a Smart Phone

This information was found at consumerreports.org:

Decide how “smart” a phone you want. We’ve grouped smart phones into two IQ categories. What we call advanced smart phones offer laptop-like capabilities in a palmtop-sized package. They let you create and edit spreadsheets and text documents, and they usually come with Microsoft Outlook, Palm Desktop, or other personal information management (PIM) software for your PC. They typically have touch screens for accessing the phone’s many features. They also let you load data onto the phone using standard-sized SD (Secure Digital) cards rather than “micro” versions found on basic models.

Basic smart phones resemble regular phones, and have fewer features than advanced models (they typically lack touch screens and PIM software, for example, and don’t allow you to create or edit documents and spreadsheets). They’re fine for reading e-mail, but composing and sending them is more cumbersome.

Consider the network. CDMA-based advanced smart phones are best if you frequently download data-heavy attachments, because such models use the high-speed EV-DO network from Sprint Nextel or Verizon. The slower, GSM-based EDGE network used by T-Mobile and Cingular is best suited for e-mail with small attachments or light-duty Web surfing, though Cingular has begun deploying a higher-speed data network called HSDPA.

Consider the operating system. Smart phones run on various operating systems, each with its own character.

Windows Mobile 5.0. Synchronizes easily with Microsoft Outlook on a desktop PC, but incompatible with non-Microsoft programs. Easy to switch between multiple applications. Navigation difficult on the basic version because it lacks a touch screen. An advanced version adds Office software and better e-mail features.

Palm. The most versatile OS. Supports full-featured e-mail and office software programs. The best for basic PDA functions--contacts, calendar, and task lists--as long as they’re running one at a time (the OS gets in the way of multitasking).

BlackBerry. The simplest for e-mail, with easy setup of e-mail accounts, especially from T-Mobile. “Push” capability automatically sends e-mail to the phone so that you don’t have to check it manually.

Danger. Used on the Sidekick. Relatively simple interface, geared toward text messaging. But some features, including simple dialing, are not always intuitive.

Symbian or Series 60. Found primarily on Nokia phones. Basic version is difficult to use, especially for setting up and using e-mail. Hard to navigate through the folder-based advanced version.
Size up the keypad and display. A smart phone’s shape and size are largely determined by its keypad and display. Some models have a full keypad that slides out from behind the phone and tucks away when not in use. Others--basic models such as the BlackBerry Pearl--leave the keypad in plain sight, but keys do double and even triple duty. Still others, such as the Nokia 9300, open like an eyeglass case to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Which type is more convenient depends on the functions you use most.

Consider the plan. Using the extra, network-dependent capabilities of a smart phone requires both a regular (voice/text) phone plan and a data plan for Web surfing and sending and receiving e-mail. Depending on the carrier, prices for both combined start at $45 to $80 a month with a two-year contract. But you can easily spend more than $200 a month as you add minutes, text messages, and other services.

If you already have a “family” plan, you may have to move your smart phone’s number to a new account, as we had to with Verizon and T-Mobile.

Price and flexibility make Sprint’s smart-phone plans the best overall. T-Mobile’s are also relatively inexpensive. Cingular’s cheapest plans have a megabyte limit, above which you pay a higher rate. Verizon’s plans are the most expensive and the least flexible.