App reviews from practicing physicians

An estimated 40,000 medical apps currently are available, and the number is growing. Medical Economics is taking a look at some of your favorites. Send your best and worst apps to medec@advanstar.com.

Designed for professional electronic health records (EHR) users who need enterprise-wide capabilities, this native iOS iPad app, which is based on “human performance modeling” techniques created by NASA to train pilots, enables users to review systems and physical exam documentation using existing templates already configured in Allscripts’ Enterprise and Professional EHR systems.

 Wand is designed to enable mobile healthcare professionals to move between desktop and iPad for patient consultations and management, and also is designed to facilitate assessment and identification of problems and improve billing. The newest version of Wand (1.1) enables physicians to:

• add or update clinical information such as allergies, history, immunizations, problems, and medications;

• review an appointment list;

• gain access to patient summary information, with drill-down access to details when necessary,

• obtain a longitudinal, all-in-one timeline view of key patient information such as lab results, medications, and vital signs;

• capture chief complaints/history of present illness;

• e-prescribe with electronic transmission to pharmacies and drug interaction checking for safe prescriptions; and

• resolve tasks and respond to messages.

Users also can identify the problems being assessed, enter orders associated to those problems, and use all quick-sets and favorites as already configured in Professional EHR. In addition, users can preview the complete history and physical report and submit charges. They can confirm billing details such as encounter type and billing provider, select the encounter pack to determine which documents will be printed, and sign off.

MEDICINE

The Wheel HD

Format: iPad iOS 4.2
or later

Developer: eNatal LLC

Cost: $1.99

Description: A professional tool that enables physicians to accurately determine the estimated delivery date of a pregnancy based on either the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period; the date of conception; a known gestational age on a known date; such as from an ultrasound measurement; or from fetal biometry such as crown-rump length, femur length, and biparietal diameter. 

Available: iTunes store

REFERENCE

iPharmacy

Format: iPhone, iPad, Android, tablets

Developer: MedConnections

Cost: Free

Description: Award-winning medical app features guide for 20,000 drugs,10,000 pill images, and local prescription price comparison. Supports export and email to doctor and pharmacist. Includes drug price comparison, pill identification, medication guide, medication reminder, prescription coupon, discount card, and Food and Drug Administration recalls and alerts.  

Available: iTunes store, Google play

Is there an app you find helpful in providing clinical care or managing your practice? Tell us what you like and dislike about it. Include your name and contact information so that we can share your review in an upcoming issue. Send it to us at medec@advanstar.com.