15 Must Have iPhone Apps for Emergency Physicians

1.  WikEM – This app from UCLA Harbor Residency is devoted to the practice of EM.  The content includes IV drip concentrations, initial approach to almost every complaint, emergency imaging, and emergency procedures.  Very easy-to-read and concise.  Cost: Free

2.    Epocrates – Easy to use app for drugs, pharmacology, pregnancy & lactation safety, and drug cost.  A nice bonus is the pill identification tool when your patient tells you, “I take the little pink pill.”  Cost: Free

3.    Medscape – From creators of WebMD, this app includes nearly every diagnosis and has a clinical, diagnostic, and treatment component.  It’s sort of like the free version of UpToDate on my iPhone.  Cost: Free

4.    Eye Handbook – This app is focused for ophthalmologists; however, some EM applicable sections are the Eye Atlas, Testing, and Patient Education.  Check out the Movies tab and download the Cheese Cartoon, an excellent distraction when calming pediatric patients or checking for extra-ocular movements.   Cost: Free

5.    Eponyms – Remember Takotsubo syndrome, Von Hippel-Lindau disease, or Alder’s sign?  This app provides a succinct description of various eponyms.  A great way to remember everything you forgot from medical school.   Cost: Free

6.    MedCalc – It helps you calculate CURB-65 Scores, fluid repletion for burns, glomerular filtration rates (GFR), and even view a dermatome map.   When you double tap an equation, it gets uploaded to your “Favorites” file for easy access.   Cost: Free

7.    Radiology 2.0 – Created by a radiologist and a medical student, this app’s subtitle is “One Night in the ED.”  It has clear CT scan images of small bowel obstruction, aortic injury, appendicitis, and more.   You can even quiz yourself by hiding the answers.   Once you review the scans, go to the discussion section and read the explanations.  Cost: Free

8.    Diagnosaurus – This app is useful when you want to expand your differential list.   All entries are organized by symptom, disease, or organ system.   For frequently viewed entries, simply click the star in the bottom right hand corner to add to your Favorites.  Cost: $0.99

9.    PediStat – When working with critical pediatric patients, it can be difficult to remember drugs dosages, tube sizes, and normal vital signs.  Simply plug in the weight, age, length/height, or Broselow Color on the first page.  You will now have accurate dosing information to resuscitate your patient.   Cost: $2.99

10. EMRA Antibiotic Guide 2011 – You may have the hard copy version but if you want to unload your pockets, you must download this app.  This amazing guide has antibiotic recommendations based upon organism, diagnosis, and organ system.  This version also has a dosing calculator to make your life easier!  Cost: $15.99 

11. Micromedex - Another useful resource for drugs and simple to use.  This includes both OTC and prescribed drugs.  The mechanism of action section is a little more in-depth compared to Epocrates.   Cost: Free

12. Pepid - This is my go-to source for all overdoses.  I appreciate the concentrated information (i.e. Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Symptoms, Toxic levels, Treatments, Antidote, & Disposition).  Cost:  Free

13. MediBabble - Truly amazing app that helps you communicate with others. It comes in handy when getting direct yes/no questions.  The languages includes: Spanish, Cantonse, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Russian!  Cost:  Free

14. Antibiotic Advisor 2011  -  Another reference option for antibiotic choices.  It's similar to EMRA's guide.  Sometimes the search function can be buggy, but you can't beat the price.  Cost: $3.99

15. Ruler -  We measure a lot of things in the ED. Anything from lacerations to size of rashes.  If you don't want to carry around a real ruler, download the free ruler app.  Just search for "ruler" in the App Store or check out the link.  Cost:  Free

*FYI, I have no financial interest in any of these apps or companies.