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Palm Software
Patient Tracking Software
There are only a handful of programs that allow physicians to completely track all patient data. The most highly regarded program is Patient
Keeper.
Others include WardWatch, Patient Tracker and Rounder. These programs allow you to keep up with individual patients' medical record numbers, H&P, problem lists, lab values, x-ray reports, and billing information. These programs are excellent for weekend checkout to colleagues or when dictating discharge summaries.
Most programs are available in demo version (free) with some limitations.
- Patient Keeper - Great patient tracking program that was developed here in Houston by a Baylor medical student. So far this one has the market share.
- WardWatch - Another patient tracking program with less bells and whistles than Patient Keeper. Free Demo on the site.
- Rounder - Newer patient tracking program, organizes data entry by organ system, customized, rounding data summarized on one screen.
- Patient Tracker - Patient Tracker is a searchable, sortable patient record complete with labs, medications, test results, and automated H&P/SOAP note creation, eliminating the need to carry unorganized pieces of paper and cards. Also included interface that allows quick reference of medical books for the handheld called the Pocket
Clinician Library (see VI., 1 below)
Drug Databases "the Killer App"
Electronic drug databases seem to be the "killer app" - the software application that is so useful that it justifies the purchase of a
handheld. LexiDrugs (adult/pediatrics/geriatrics) seems to be the most sophisticated drug information resource on the PDA and is easy to use. It contains a complete database covering over
3,900 medications and over 1,250 drug monographs, and spans about 500 different therapeutic classes. Other notable drug databases are ePocrates, Tarascon's Pharmacopoeia, and Franklin's PDR.
ePocrates and Tarascon's Pharmacopoeia are free while LexiDrugs and Franklin's PDR will cost you.
- LexiDrugs/Apothecarium -$$$
- Epocrates - Free!!
- Tarascon/Medscape - Free!!
- Franklin's PDR - $$$
Medical Calculations
Medical calculators have become another invaluable tool available on the PDA. They are capable of calculating complex quantities simply by
inputting single variables in specified fields. Body surface area, fractional excretion of sodium, Winter's formula, and A-a O2 gradient are just a few of the many built in calculations that medical
calculators such as MedCalc, MedMath, MathPad, SyncCal, and the Drips Calculator provide. Parens is another notable fully functional non-medical but useful calculator.
- MedMath
- MedCalc
- SyncCal
- MathPad
- Parens
- Medical Drips Calculator
Electronic Bedside Reference Texts
Electronic textbooks and journals are gradually replacing the many little pocket
reference books that weigh down so many house officers. No longer do you need to carry The Harriet Lane Handbook and Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine as separate textbooks. You can now download the appropriate textbook into a PDA for instant access at the bedside. Also, no more flipping
through huge outdated textbooks to reference interesting cases. Now it is possible to search for information more accurately and timely using the PDA. Great references, but definitely not free!!
Start your search at http://www.handheldmed.com/software.php .
- 5-Minute Clinical Consult, Washington Manual, Harrisons Principles of
Internal Medicine, Merck Manual, RedBook 2000, Neofax 2000, DeGowin&DeGowin, Surgical Pearls, Intern Survival Guides, Obstetrical Pearls, many more. All well known reference texts that have been converted to electronic format for download.
- 5 Minute Clinical Consult by K2 - Quick, High Yield reference to multiple clinical diseases also seamlessly links with LexiDrugs. Kinda pricy but well worth it.
Essential Software for Every Palm
Doc Readers - Doc readers are analogous to the Microsoft Word program. They allow you to view text information on your handheld and create bookmarks
within the documents for easy and quick reference. Most don't allow you to edit and change the information (yet) but there are programs that will convert
MS Word documents directly to "doc" format for later viewing on your handheld. Also there are programs that will convert PDF format to your handheld. Check out (http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/docreaders-review.html) for and excellent review of the many "doc readers" available. My recommendations are:
Databases - Programs that allow you to keep charts and tables of information
and to organize this information for easier access. Similar to Microsoft Excel but are without the ability to perform calculations. A lot of free reference
material from the web are in this format. Go to Jim Thompson MD for a great comparison of the different databases. Also go Official Gadgeteer Hands On Review for another excellent review of all the different database programs. My
recommendations are:
- Jfile Pro -Recommended
- HanDBase
- Mobile DB
- ThinkDB - Also good!!
Misc
- Hackmaster - Adds cool tricks and increased functionality to your PDA. Click here to search and download hacks.
- BackupBuddy - Lets say you've spent the past 2 months getting friends
to beam you various software programs (freeware....of course), addresses, Jfile databases, Aportis Doc documents, etc. A common misconception is that when you HotSynch your PP/HV to your
computer....you have backed up EVERYTHING.....WRONG!!! Only built-in applications (datebook, todo, memopad) are backed up. Any other applications and data files that you have installed aren't by default
backed-up to your desktop computer! I recommend BackupBuddy found at www.bluenomad.com . This program backs up EVERYTHING on your PP/HV. It's not freeware, but take a look. Also look around the
shareware and freeware websites for a free alternative for backing up your PDA.
- Datebook 3 or Datebook4 - Like the palms built in datebook but 100x's
better, can add icons to events etc.
- BigClock - just a big Clock with timers and alarms. Great for call nights.
(actually, nothing is great for call nights...)
- Launch 'Em - A software that places neat tabs for you application icons,
and much more. (replace the PalmOS's Application manager)
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