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July 25, 2008

ePocrates for iPhone (medical app) critique

Overall I have been impressed with ePocrates for the iPhone.  It is an application I have been waiting for for some time.

However three annoyances have popped up:

1.  It takes a few taps to get to the app in the first place (as it does for any application on the iPhone).
      - A shortcut, or hotkey to go right to ePocrates would be great 

2.  The program takes 5 to 10 seconds to load before I can tap on the blank query spot to type in my drug name.
     -  The default load when loading ePocrates should already be with the keypad pulled up, waiting for you to enter the drug name.
     -  My colleagues using the old PDA are able to load drug info much faster than me.

3.  I do not get reception for my cell phone in the place where I see many of my new patients:  The emergency department.
     - The hospital should give free, fast, and unlimited wifi access to its employees.

Filed under  //   design   efficiency   ePocrates   iphone   medical   Medicine  

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July 13, 2008

ePocrates and post MI care

I have had ePocrates on my iPhone for about 24 hrs.  It has been a dream so far.  I havent had any patient interactions, as it is my day of the week off.

However, I have been quite impressed with the formulary function.  I have been able to quickly see which of the frequently prescribed medications are on the Madison formulary.

I will run in to this clinical situation many times in the next month on the cardiology ward:

A patient with no known history enters the hospital emergently due to an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).  They have previously not taken any medication.  If all goes well, they will be discharged in 3-4 days on multiple new medicaitons, including:

Aspirin (generic, over the counter)
B-blocker (metoprolol tartrate or carvedilol are both covered on the Target 4$ Program)
Ace-inhibitor (lisinopril is covered)
Statin (simvastatin and atorvastatin are most commonly used, but quite expensive).  Pravastatin and Lovastatin are covered, but not as well studied.
Plavix, or clopidogrel: very expensive still.  There was a lawsuit back in 2007 to keep it under patent.
Fish Oil, or omega 3 fatty acids

If on-patent drugs are prescribed, this can be quite expensive quite quickly.

Filed under  //   cardiology   clinical   clinical informatics   Clinical support systems   ePocrates   iphone   medical   Medicine  

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July 10, 2008

iPhone Apps

I hope I get some free time tomorrow to look at all the new iPhone Apps.

Some that I'm thinking about are the voice recorder to record my thoughts as I'm running around the hospital on stuff to do, labs to order, meds to order, etc.

Also, looking forward to implementing evernote, my fellow has been creating amazing white boards that I can take pictures with my iPhone to save for later.

Of course, looking forward to finally having a usable version of ePocrates, doubt that is out and usable yet.

Filed under  //   applications   ePocrates   iphone   Medicine  

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