This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Doyle, D. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Doyle, D. J.

CD-ROM Review

Clinical Anesthesia for the PDA Paul G. Barash, Bruce F. Cullen, Robert K. Stoelting. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2002. $60.00 US. ISBN 0-7817-3852-0

Cleveland, Ohio

The Personal Data Assistant (PDA) has now entered into clinical practice in a very big way. PDAs can provide clinicians with a handheld tool to manage patient information, create logs of procedures performed, store clinical guidelines, and even perform clinical calculations. These miniature computers usually also have general tools such as word processors, spreadsheets, and personal scheduling software. One particularly popular clinical PDA application is ePocrates Rx, a free drug reference program with over 2700 drug monographs and formulary information. This product, available at no cost athttp://www.epocrates.com can confirm drug dosages, identify generic preparations, evaluate potential interactions, and more. Information on other free medical packages for the PDA is available at http://www.freewarepalm.com/medical/medical.shtml.

However, until recently, there has been little of the way of PDA resources specifically for anesthesiologists. Now, with the publication of Clinical Anesthesia for the PDA the situation has finally changed. Intended for both the working anesthesiologist and the resident in training, this product is based on the fourth edition of the Handbook of Clinical Anesthesia by Drs. Paul Barash, Bruce Cullen, and Robert Stoelting. Loaded with easily accessible protocols, tables and formulas, Clinical Anesthesia for the PDA covers all aspects of clinical anesthesia management in a succinct and convenient form. A comprehensive drug database even includes information on antibiotics and herbal medications. Also included are the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States and American Heart Association resuscitation protocols, subacute bacterial endocarditis precaution information, information on difficult airway management, and automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator information.

Purchasers of the CD-ROM get two versions of the software, one for the Palm platform and one for Pocket PC devices. PDA memory requirement in both cases are surprisingly modest: 1 MB and 1.75 MB respectively. If you prefer not to order the product from Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, you can download it instantly from Skyscape (http://www.skyscape.com).

The organization of the materials is divided into the following sections, each of which is in turn subdivided into numerous subsections:

1. Introduction to Anesthesia Practice
   
2. Basic Principles of Anesthesia Practice
   
3. Basic Principles of Pharmacology in Anesthesia Practice
   
4. Preparing for Anesthesia
   
5. Management of Anesthesia
   
6. Postanesthesia and Consultant Practice
   
7. Appendixes
   

I had no difficulty installing the software on my Sony Clie PDA (a Palm-based system) and I found the software to be intuitive and very easy to use. The information was especially well formatted for display on small PDA screens. Finally, a search function makes it especially easy to find information quickly.

I recommend this product without reservation. Every anesthesiologist with a PDA should have it.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a scholarly reply Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Doyle, D. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Doyle, D. J.