Drug reference: ePocrates Rx. (Digital Assistance).

Overview: ePocrates Rx is a comprehensive yet concise drug reference program available for Palm OS handheld computers. Easy access to drug dosing, interactions, and medication cost and packaging information is included. A "formulary" version of the program includes, health plan-specific formulary information. Busy practitioners will value this program's extensive content and efficient organization.

Background: Readily accessible, detailed, and accurate drug prescription information is a necessity for all practicing physicians. In the not-so-distant past, our sources for such information were large tomes such as the Physicians' Desk Reference, a pocket full of handbooks, or a call to the hospital pharmacist. With the emergence of handheld computers, we now have the capability to easily carry and access current drug information during our daily patient encounters.

Description: ePocrates Rx was one of the earliest drug reference resources available in a dedicated handheld format. Originally released in October 1999, this software currently has over 250,000 physician subscribers. The program is available only for the Palm OS platform and is free for download from the ePocrates Web site (www.epocrates.com). ePocrates Rx includes information on over 2,600 prescription and nonprescription medications. The database may be searched and displayed alphabetically or by drug class. Content for each entry is concisely organized into dosing, contraindications/cautions, drug interactions, adverse reactions, cost/packaging, and other categories. Bach of these sections is conveniently accessed from a pop-up listing in the lower left-hand corner of the screen. Personal notes may be added to each drug entry (and are beamable to other handhelds). Users may further customize the program by defining "favorite" categories (upper right drop-down on main page), assigning drugs as they see fit .

Though the basic drug database is impressive in its own right, other features of the program merit special consideration. First, the AutoUpdate option configures the program to automatically update the database with each HotSync, insuring a current reference. Similarly, DocAlerts are brief messages acquired during the HotSync process that inform users of ...