Notable New iPhone Medical Apps: ECG Guide and Safe OR

Many users of the iPhone — and certainly developers — view it not so much as a phone, but as a handheld computing platform. The iTunes App Store currently lists more than 200 applications in the "medical" category. "Notable New Medical iPhone Apps" is an occasional series describing apps that I use and/or recommend.

The ECG Guide is an impressively detailed ECG reference for the iPhone and iPod touch. For $4.99, it features sections on ECG basics (such as the function of the ECG and positioning); ECG interpretation; waves and segements; chamber enlargement; ischemic and infarction; arrythmias; and a selection on miscellaneous clinical conditions such as hypothermia, dextrocardia, and brugada syndrome. The ECG Guide also features 100 high-resolution ECG examples and a quiz. (The text and sample ECGs rotate to landscape mode and are easily visible when you zoom in.) It's perfect for medical students, residents, and any health care practitioner who wants to have immediate access to a detailed ECG reference guide.



Safe OR: Safety Checklist is based on the 19-point WHO surgical safety checklist published in the New England Journal of Medicine Article, "A Surgical Safety Checklist to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality in a Global Population." In the study, use of the checklist was associated with a reduction in mortality of over 40%. The checklist includes questions to be asked prior to induction of anesthesia (for example, "Have you confirmed patient identity?" and "Is the surgical site marked?"); questions prior to the skin incision (for example, "Confirm all team members have introduced themselves by name and role." and "Has antibiotic prophylaxis been given within the last 60 minutes?"); and questions prior to the patient leaving the OR (for example, "Has the nurse verbally confirmed with team that instrument, sponge, and needle counts are correct?"). Safe OR is available for only $1.99 in the App Store.