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Are these programs HIPAA compliant?
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It is a common misconception that office tools including fax machines, computer hardware and software,
networking peripherals, handheld devices and software, must comply with HIPAA. The Act only applies in
whole or part to the following entities:
- A health plan
- A health care clearinghouse
- A health care provider who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a transaction referred to in SEC. 1173 (a)(1)
Software is not part of any of the above entities, however, it can be a valuable tool in assisting the before mentioned in becoming HIPAA compliant (SEC. 1172. (a) APPLICABILITY).
Our programs which save patient data require users to log in. The programs then keep a
permanent record of patient access (who and when). This feature, when combined with a strict
overall PC security plan (password protection, automatic log out) will help you comply with
HIPAA privacy requirements.
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What should I look for in pk software?
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This checklist appeared in an article by Neil Massoud, PharmD in the
January/February 1994 issue of "ComputerTalk for Pharmacists". A good pharmacokinetic program should:
- Provide fail-safes, such as checks on age and weight, lab values, etc.
- Check against standard kinetics values and warn of +/- 2 standard deviations from the norm.
- Have storage capability to view what you did the day before or when the patient was in the ICU versus stabilized.
- Allow appropriate equation flexibility all ages.
- Offer compatiblity with numerous printers.
- Be easy to learn and use.
- Be capable of doing steady-state as well as non-steady state.
- Perform Bayesian analysis.
- Change parameters according to renal- or liver function.
- Feel right, in your clinical judgement.
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Can I run these programs on the network (LAN)?
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Kinetics© and APK© are multi-user enabled and may be networked. Please note the two programs
employ different database engines and hence different networking schemes.
Kinetics© uses the Microsoft jet database engine which makes extensive use of OLE,
therefore the program must be installed on each PC on the network. The database is
then copied to the server and each PC is set-up to point to the shared database.
APK© uses the Topaz database engine which is wholly contained within the program.
APK© may be installed on the server, each PC on the network then accesses the program
and shared database with just a shortcut.
Please note: you must purchase the site license.
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Do these programs interface with our Pharmacy Information System?
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Antibiotic Kinetics©, APK©, Kinetics©, and TPNassist© all may be interfaced
with a PIS, using our open interface specification. Please contact your PIS vendor to request
implementation.
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Do these programs support my **insert any name here** printer?
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APK©, Kinetics©, UDLabels©, and TPNassist© all use the printer
services of Windows itself, as do all Windows programs that I'm aware of. Therefore,
if you have a Windows printer driver installed for your printer and it shows up on
the Windows print dialog, then yes, these programs will work with your printer!
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How often are these programs updated?
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The programs are updated at least biannually.
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How much do the updates cost?
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$0 (free). There is no charge for software updates which are downloaded from the website. If you need a disk or CD there will, necessarily, be a nominal fee.
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Is the registration fee a one-time fee or an annual charge?
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Registration for any single program is a one-time fee. As explained above, updates are free. There are no renewal fees.
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Do these programs support pediatrics?
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APK©, TPNassist© and Antibiotic Kinetics© support peds and infants over 2kg. Kinetics© is for adults only (minimum age 12 years).
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Do these programs support neonates?
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No, our programs should not be used in neonates.
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Do your pk programs support "once-a-day" aminoglycoside dosing?
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Yes. Antibiotic Kinetics©, APK©, and Kinetics© support extended-interval, or "once-daily" aminoglycoside dosing.
Please read this support FAQ for more information.
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What drug models are supported by your pk programs?
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APK© and Antibiotic Kinetics© support one-compartment models only. Kinetics© adds support for 2-compartment models, digoxin, heparin, theophylline, and renal dosing tables.
All three programs include a model editor which allows you to edit the default models and
to add your own drug models.
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Is it possible to change the pk model parameters?
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Yes. One of the most powerful features of all three pk programs is the model editor which
gives the user the ability to add, edit, and delete drug models. The drug models are contained
within the database and may be edited by the user.
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Can I create my own pk models?
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Absolutely. You may even add multiple models of the same drug, say for different patient populations. The only
requirement is that you give each model a unique name, for example "Gentamicin burn" would designate a gentamicin
model specifically for burn patients.
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Do your pk programs support Bayesian analysis?
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Yes, all of our programs provide Bayesian analysis.
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What is the advantage of Bayesian analysis?
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Bayesian analysis is often more accurate than traditional serum level analysis techniques.
As a practical matter, Bayesian methodology permits the analysis of a single serum level instead of the traditional peak and trough levels.
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What types of serum level analysis are supported by your pk programs?
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All pk programs:
AG's: steady-state 1 or 2 point methods, non-steady-state 2 or 3-point method, extended interval method.
Vancomycin: steady-state 1 or 2 point methods, non-steady-state 2 or 3-point method.
Kinetics© adds:
Digoxin: steady-state single-point linear method.
Heparin: steady-state single-point linear method.
Theophylline: non-steady-state 2-point method, steady-state single-point linear method.
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Which RxKinetics pk program should I purchase?
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Although Kinetics© includes more drug models, it can only be used in adult patients. APK©
was created with pediatrics in mind. Antibiotic Kinetics© was designed as a simple bare-bones
pk dose calculator without a patient database. Please read this detailed side-by-side comparison chart:
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How does AbPK compare to other PDA pk programs?
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Please refer to this comparison chart:
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Can I purchase, APK© Palm separate from the Windows program?
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APK© Palm is part of a suite of programs which work together. The Palm program is not a separate entity.
You edit the models in the Windows program, then HotSync to syncronize that data with the Palm program.
This ensures that both program have the same models so you can work at your desk or away from your desk
and get the same answers!
APK© keeps track of all your patients and all your consults. You HotSync to the desktop to
archive all this wonderful data. It's important to keep track of what you've done, from both a
clinical and administrative standpoint. That archive of data is a goldmine of patient specific data
which you can use in many different ways, from creating administrative workload reports to
performing regression analysis of your patient population for fine-tuning your pk models.
The concept behind the Palm hand held computer is that it is an extension of your desktop computer.
You download a subset of data from your desktop so that you can work away from your desk. You then
sync up to your computer periodically to archive data. The reason is, there is no permanent storage
device for the Palm. If your batteries die, you lose all your data. You don't have to sync every day,
but you need to do so at least weekly, otherwise you will eventually lose all of your work.
If all you need is a handheld pk dose calculator without the patient database features, then download
Antibiotic Kinetics© for Palm. If you like the program, register it for $25.
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Why do the Palm programs run so slow?
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The Palm programs may appear to be slow on older devices like the Visor Deluxe which
have woefully inadequate 8mHz processors "under the hood".
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Do you have a version of these programs for my Apple iPhone and iMac computer?
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We do not currently offer a native Apple versions of our software, however, please try the
WebApp versions which run in the Apple Safari browser. The WebApp version run perfectly on both the iMac and the iPhone:
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Are these programs Y2K compliant?
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Yes. Please read the RxKinetics Y2K compliance statement.
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