Windows Phone Thoughts: Examining Epocrates Essentials

Epocrates Lab
Epocrates Lab was actually one of my favourites. Having spent the last year doing a bit of endocrinology work, I can now gripe over the fact that I hadn't used Epocrates Essentials sooner. It is an invaluable guide to diagnostics, in and out of the laboratory. It is designed to provide information on test preparation, interpretation of results, follow-up of tests and associative reimbursements. Once again, there is tight integration with the other Epocrates Essentials components. This version of Epocrates Lab is relatively new, and as such, fails to deliver the "Epocrates Find" feature I discussed earlier. While the "Look Up" feature is still present, it would have been great to have "Epocrates Find" make up for the limitations of "Look Up". However, that negative point aside, Epocrates Lab delivers more of that great clinically relevant content I have now come to expect after meticulously analysing Epocrates Rx Pro and Epocrates Dx. Once again, the database is listed in alphabetical order and offers different ways of sorting: by name, by specimen type, and by panels. Tapping on a list entry brings up the main information page, and like I discussed earlier in the review, is divided into subsections once more. These are: Basics, Reference Range, Interpretation, Preparation / Collection, Cost / Billing, and Notes.


Figure 10: Epocrates Lab's primary user interface.

• Basics: Here, you will find a good description on the particular laboratory ingredient of interest. Synonymous terms are also provided as well as panel information, which link back to other database entries within Epocrates Lab.
  
• Reference Range: Reference ranges commonly used in laboratory testing are provided here and are an indispensable feature of the program. When I did a bit of laboratory work a couple of years ago, there were countless number of times when I needed to look up reference ranges in bulky textbooks. If I had Epocrates Essentials sooner, I would have been able to do away with the textbooks and access it in the palm of my hand instead! Also, this subsection includes SI units which is always a bonus.
  
• Interpretation: Depending on the laboratory test, there are times when you can choose between different interpretations (e.g. low or high) since each have their own clinically relevant cases. Like Epocrates Rx Pro, the use of two groups of links provide two different sets of information. By tapping on the main link as seen in Figure 11, you are presented with a pop-up at the top of the screen displaying clinically relevant comments and links to appropriate conditions related to the test result. Tapping on these links takes you to Epocrates Dx where you can get further information on the disease or condition. If you head back to the main screen and tap on the caret link, you are given follow-up information and links to other laboratory tests worth considering. The integration here is great!
  
• Preparation / Collection: There is some useful information listed in this subsection - in particular, there is content covering specimen type, methods of preparation and collection, and even what container to use!
  
• Cost / Billing: I still cannot get over the fact that information on test and panel costs are provided. In my opinion, this is definitely the icing on the cake. ICD-9's are also provided so it's great knowing that you need not look elsewhere to get these codes.
  
• Notes: This is more of the same goodness that Epocrates Rx Pro and Epocrates Dx provided. I can see it being of great use in the laboratory environment when you need to jot down a few figures here and there. Being able to access it effortlessly while looking up reference ranges is a plus!

Figure 11: Pop-ups provide clinically relevant comments and links.