Speaking of "googling"...

[HERBIE1]

We are all surrounded by the wonders of technology every day at work. Monitors, synthetically designed drugs, equipment, telemetry radios, even our apparatus are marvels of innovation. Having said that...

Has anyone ever used their PDA or web enabled cellphone during a call-(besides for contacting medical control)? Recently, we had an OD, and the person took an obscure medication- one that was new enough that I knew it was not in any reference material we had on board. I honestly forget what the drug was, but neither my partner or I had ever heard of it. We both thought it may be a new diabetic medication but we were wrong. I connected to the net via my phone, googled the name, and in a matter of moments, found out that is was some type of psych drug. Treatment was only supportive, and the call went without incident.

Later, we both laughed and were amazed at how cell phone technology could become such a valuable asset. Cell phones didn't even exist when we started our careers and now we were using them to help treat a patient.

Amazing...

[fiznat]

Ive done that. I carry a pocket drug reference guide but sometimes it is just easier to google. I do it sometimes with diseases I've never heard of as well.

[FireMedic65]

Yes, I have a few different programs on both my phone and pda. They are really cool. Lots of information about pretty much every drug. Also you can look up diseases and medical conditions on them, put in signs/symptoms and it spits out a possible diagnoses. You can cross check meds to make sure there are contraindications with other meds. Really cool stuff!

[EMT City Administrator]

http://www.epocrates.com/index.html

[HERBIE1]

http://www.epocrates.com/index.html

Thanks. It's not often that I have the time(transport times are short) or need to get definitive info like this but it's good to know it's available when necessary.

[WolfmanHarris]

I've definitely used my blackberry to look up drugs not included in my pocket guide. Usually after the call though rather than during. (Haven't had a call where I needed to, yet.)

[FireMedic65]

http://www.merckmedicus.com

[scott33]

The "pill ID" feature on ePocrates is a very clever additional feature.

[FireMedic65]

The "pill ID" feature on ePocrates is a very clever additional feature.

too bad that feature costs money

[scott33]

too bad that feature costs money

100% free app on the iPhone