I have found that investing in the Pocket PC and Skyscape products was the one of the best things that I have done for my nursing career to access medical information. I currently own the 5 Minute Clinical Consult, Davis’s Drug Guide, Archimedes, and the recent ". 911". I have found that having this information in one place, weighing less than a pound, has served me as an invaluable tool for a nurse on the ward or out in the field setting. The suite of medical knowledge that Skyscape provides would serve any medical military personnel well. It places reference data at the front line, which has been limited up to this point. This information can also help military medical personnel use their time of looking for reference information more efficient. The "point and click" for options and the ability to switch between medical volumes, at your fingertips are essential when timeliness and competency is essential. Add in the portability of the Pocket PC or Palm products and the answer is evident. This is the new way for the medics out in the field to access reference data.

"I have not had the chance to face the front lines like the brave men and women that served in this last contingency "Iraqi Freedom;" however, our Group participates in training for scenarios in which a possible attack to our base may occur. Recently, I had the opportunity to practice my nursing skills during an exercise. The scenario included our hospital being hit by a conventional weapon, which meant that we had to relocate to a different location. Other weapons also hit a school. This scenario meant that the medical providers could not access the Internet, and would not be able to access medical reference data that was in the hospital library.

The only answer to the multiple casualties, both pediatric and adult, was either professionals yelling out adrenaline pumped orders from their memories or the reference information provided by handheld devices."