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November 2004 - Issue No. 41
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Advocate of the Month
Sally Sicherman RN, CNOR
Sally Sicherman RN, CNOR
West Hills, CA
"As a long term Registered Nurse, I was pulled into our new technological age kicking and screaming! I'm now amazed at how reliant I have become upon this technology to provide safe care to my patients.
I've used Epocrates since 2001 and haven't found a better reference source anywhere. The intuitive format and integration make it easy for even a beginner to make use of it immediately.
My field of practice is the Surgical Arena, and I'm currently the Coordinator of the Open Heart Program at my facility. Quick access to information (versus taking the time to find the PDR in my department or trying to get in touch with the Pharmacy) is of the utmost importance when I'm dealing with an unstable patient.
I've found Epocrates Essentials to be an invaluable tool whenever I need to look up unfamiliar medications, check for drug interactions and IV compatibility, interpret lab values, review disease signs and symptoms, and calculate drip rates.
I've recommended Epocrates to nursing and physician colleagues in my facility, and to members of my professional organization (AORN - the Association of Perioperative Nursing) and I will continue to do so."
Advocate Program
We created the Advocate Program for anyone who is interested in sharing information about Epocrates software with peers.
If you would like to become an Epocrates Advocate, please write to advocates@epocrates.com. Include your name, credentials or titles, city and state, and your sub-specialty (if applicable).
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NEW! Epocrates Essentials for Nurses
Including IV Compatibility data from the King® Guide
| In response to hundreds of requests, we've added valuable IV tools to Epocrates Essentials. Epocrates Essentials for Nurses represents the best value, most useful information, and most convenient download experience for anyone who frequently administers (or provides guidance on) IV drugs.
Learn More | Buy Now
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Epocrates Essentials for Nurses includes Epocrates Rx Pro, Epocrates Dx, Epocrates Lab, an integrated IV Compatibility Checker and a Drip Rate Calculator. We will continue to refine the product to make it even more useful for nurses.
IV Compatibility Checker
Many nurses and other healthcare professionals have contacted us requesting IV drug compatibility information integrated with Epocrates databases. We've responded by partnering with the highly regarded King Guide to Parenteral Admixtures to develop an easy-to-use IV compatibility checker.
The King Guide is the most complete and up-to-date IV compatibility reference available. With Epocrates Essentials for Nurses in your pocket, trusted drug-solution and drug-drug solution compatibility information is just a few taps away.
Dynamic Drip Rate Calculator
In an ideal world, every IV bag would provide instructions on how fast or slow to run the solution. But here in the real world, our calculator provides infusion rates based upon entered values (patient weight, amount of drug, total volume of solution, and drug dosing parameters), where and when you need them!
*Currently available for Palm® OS devices syncing with Windows computers. Epocrates Essentials for Nurses will be available for Pocket PC later this month, and a MAC-compatible version is coming soon.
Learn More | Buy Now
Save over $100 on Epocrates Essentials for Nurses and a new Palm mobile
Enhanced MultiCheck Interaction Checker
Now includes IV compatibility data
Epocrates Rx Pro/Epocrates Essentials* subscribers now have the option of checking for both drug-drug or drug-herb interactions OR screening for compatibility or incompatibility of IV drugs and solutions. Over 445 drug monographs now contain compatibility information sourced from the King® Guide, an authoritative, regularly updated reference on compatibility of parenteral products.
To utilize the IV compatibility checker in Epocrates Rx Pro, simply tap on the Rx tab and then tap on the MultiCheck icon  . You may select 1-30 drugs/IV products. If one drug is selected, you may tap the "IV" button to see compatibility information for that drug uncombined in up to 12 IV solutions. If two or more drugs are selected, you may tap the "Drug" button to see drug-drug or drug-herb interactions, OR you may tap the "IV" button to see compatibility information on drug-drug combinations in up to 12 IV solutions.
Results of IV compatibility checks in this concise point-of-care reference are divided into four simple categories: "Compatible", "Not Compatible", "Variable Compatibility" or "Conflicting Reports". Results show pairings of single drugs and solutions or drug-drug pairing and solutions linked by the <> symbol, and may show "All" solutions or only those that are selected from a pull-down at the top of the results screen. If drugs are selected for which IV compatibility data are not present in the database (e.g. non-IV products or drugs that have not been studied), a warning message will appear to alert the user that those items will be excluded from the results. The content of this new feature will updated on a quarterly basis.
*Epocrates Rx Pro Version 7.0 with IV compatibility checker is compatible with Palm OS syncing with Windows computers. A Pocket PC-compatible version will be available later this month, and a MAC-compatible version is coming soon.
View other clinical update highlights
Refer a Friend
We created Epocrates Referral Rewards to thank you for telling your colleagues and friends about Epocrates products and services. Your enthusiasm has brought thousands of healthcare professionals into our network. Now, when you share your referral code with your associates, you will both enjoy great benefits.
- Rewards For You
- Earn credit for each person you refer, towards a substantial gift of your choice. For example, seven referrals to Epocrates Essentials would earn you enough credit to purchase a digital camera, and nine referrals would enable you to buy an iPod mini!
- Enter our grand prize drawing for a chance to win a vacation getaway or travel to a professional meeting of your choice.
- Rewards For Your Friends & Colleagues
- 25% off Epocrates premium products
- Substantial savings on a Palm Tungsten/Epocrates Essentials bundle
- Free access to Epocrates Rx, the #1 mobile drug reference
Full details of this promotion may be viewed here.
If you are already participating in Referral Rewards, you have until December 31, 2004 to earn additional rewards and entries into the prize drawing. Use our referral resources to help you spread the word.
If you did not receive your referral code, and wish to participate, please view eligibility information. If you are eligible to participate, but did not receive your code, please contact us at: rewards@epocrates.com.
Thanks for your continued support!
Need a new PDA?
If you are thinking about upgrading to a new PDA, why not save money AND get Epocrates Essentials at the same time? Our bundles also make ideal holiday gifts.
Save on a new palmOne mobile computer with Epocrates Essentials today! This special offer includes a one-year subscription to Epocrates Essentials (includes Epocrates Rx Pro, Epocrates Dx and Epocrates Lab) plus your choice of a palmOne Tungsten E, C, T3 or the new T5.
The T5 boasts a hefty 256MB of storage, allowing you to easily keep Epocrates Essentials, addresses, photos, and all the information you need in the main memory. The device also contains Bluetooth® wireless technology, making it easier than ever to sync with your computer, receive email, browse the web and more when you're on the go.
Purchase today and enjoy over $100 savings on your hardware and software.
Pocket PC users: look out for our Epocrates Essentials/ Pocket PC bundle, coming later this month!
Celebrating ...
Nurse Practitioners
November
7-13 is National Nurse Practitioner Week. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
has made a poster available to anyone who wants to celebrate NPs in their community.
Over 20,000 NPs currently use Epocrates references to save time and improve patient care.
In celebration of NP Week, we? d like to highlight Julee Waldrop, MS, FNP, PNP, who has been using Epocrates software for five years ...
"I have been a nurse practitioner for 13 years, practicing mostly in Pediatrics, and some women's health as well. I began using Epocrates in 1999 with the first free download! I am currently a clinical assistant professor in the School of Nursing and the Department of Pediatrics at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC. I teach nurse practitioner students and work with pediatric residents in a general pediatrics clinic, and I have introduced Epocrates to all of my students and colleagues. I am also attending North Carolina State University - working toward my Doctoral degree in Education. In my spare time I love to run, hike, kayak and read."
Julee recently reviewed Epocrates Essentials, our all-in-one guide to drugs, diseases and diagnostics.
Read Julee's review of Epocrates Essentials:
Epocrates Essentials: I Don't Practice Without It
AAP 2004
Last month, Epocrates exhibited at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition. We surveyed hundreds of pediatricians about our products. Each entrant was entered into a prize drawing to win a new Tungsten E with Epocrates software, and $200 to spend on children? s books and toys at amazon.com.
The winner of the drawing was Leilani Olmedo, MD. We asked Leilani to tell us a bit about herself:
"I graduated from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and completed my residency in pediatrics at Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, NY-2001. I ventured this year with a colleague and opened up our own pediatric office - ABC Pediatrics, PC in Rockville Centre, NY. I am also the acting chief of pediatrics at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, NY. My 3 year old & 18 month old boys keep my sanity in check ... sometimes."
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Q. I just upgraded to the latest version of Epocrates Rx Pro and can no longer find the Alternative Medicines. Where did they go?
A. In response to customer feedback, we incorporated alternative medicines into the main Epocrates drug list. Now, under the Rx tab, you will see FDA-approved drugs and alternative medicines. On mobile devices with color displays, alternative medicines appear in a brown font. You can view a list of alternative medicines by searching "By Class" and selecting the class: "Alternative Medicines".
If you do not wish to see alternative medicines listed in the Rx database:
- Tap on the Rx tab and be sure that you see the alphabetical drug listing (search "By Drug").
- Tap on the 'e' symbol in the top left of your screen (Palm devices) or "Tools" at the bottom of your screen (Pocket PC devices).
- Select "App", and "Hide Alt Meds" (to reverse this, select "Show Alt Meds").
Although the alternative medicines will not display in the alphabetical drug list, you will still be able to access them by selecting the "Alternative Medicines" class, and when checking for drug-herb interactions using MultiCheck.
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Epocrates Inc., 1100 Park Place Suite 300, San Mateo, CA. 94403
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