UpToDate, a popular online clinical information tool, is now available from computers not directly connected to the Pitt or UPMC networks. Authorized users can access this resource by logging into remote access.
UpToDate recently introduced a new site design. From the main UpToDate search screen, clinicians can take advantage of the following options:
• What’s New: enables healthcare providers to view key updates, such as new professional society guidelines. Only a selected amount of information is presented in this section. It is important to note, however, that nearly half of UpToDate topics are updated every four months.
• Patient Information: offers information on more than 300 topics, ranging from allergies and asthma to women’s issues, specifically written for healthcare consumers. Visual aids, such as graphics and charts, often supplement narrative information, and links to additional authoritative Internet resources are included. Providers can print or e-mail specific information for patients or refer them to the free Web site UpToDate for Patients.
Also included in UpToDate:
• Calculators: dozens of new calculators are available, with more planned for subsequent updates. Available calculators include: Survival Estimates in Advanced Cancer and Maintenance Fluid Therapy in Children.
• Topic Outlines: provides a quick way of linking to pertinent information.
• Related Topics: located in the left side menu; allows supplemental information to be located.
• Find in Topic: allows the user to search for exact terms or synonyms within the presented information.
~ John Siegel