Introduction

The HanDBase logbook files are distributed in a 'compressed folder' or ZIP file called:

RCA_Logbook_v6_00.ZIP

This compressed file can be opened directly using Microsoft Windows XP or ME but third party software is required for earlier versions of Windows or the Macintosh computers. For Windows we recommend using 'WinZIP', which is free and fully working. WinZIP can be downloaded over the internet from www.winzip.com. The compressed folder contains two files:

RCA_Logbook_v6_00.PDB	-HanDBase Database - containing logbook cases.
RCA_Logbook_v6_00_HDF.PDB	-HanDBase Forms - containing data entry forms

 

Both of these files need to be installed on your Palm/Pocket PC for the logbook to work. (see below)

This is the 'standard' logbook and has been simplified to provide an intuitive interface for quick case entry for both novice and expert users. The popup lists for Anaesthetics, Procedures, Specialties, Priority, Sex, ASA and Supervision have been populated with all of the college approved terms and therefore we recommend that only the provided terms are used and the aforementioned lists are not altered.

The Operations popup list has been populated with only two obstetric operations, 'LSCS' and 'Labour analgesia'. Currently these are the only two operations that the college specifically require trainees to record. The Operations popup list can be customised by adding common operations to speed up case entry. Unusual operations can be entered directly without using the popup list.

The 'Incidents' and 'User' fields' popup lists are also unpopulated and can again be customised by the user to collect a variety of optional case information not specifically required by the college.

This standard logbook uses minimal memory and therefore can be used with all Palm and Pocket PCs, even those with 2Mb RAM such as the older m100 series or the new Palm Zire, both of which cost well under £100.

BEWARE
Modifying the fields and/or the terms in the popup lists may create problems when transferring your logbook to your PC and subsequently cause inaccuracies in the reports.

Expert Users

An 'expanded' logbook, RCA Logbook v6.00x , has also been produced as an optional alternative to the standard logbook. This expanded logbook contains extra, populated popup lists for Operations and Incidents. The Operations popup list groups anaesthetically similar operations together and summarises an entire repertoire of operations in about 100 terms. The Incidents popup list has been taken from the original Psion logbook which was extensively used in the past. These two populated lists do not contain official college terms and therefore the 'expanded' logbook is being distributed as an optional alternative to the standard logbook for the more expert users who wish to take advantage of these optional extras. This expanded logbook is offered without technical support of any kind and will be available to download from www.medi-cal.org.uk.

Installing the RCA Logbook to your PDA

Palm

• Palm users can simply double click on the relevant files using Windows Explorer to install the chosen template to your Palm the next time you 'HotSync'.
• If you are using a Macintosh computer to connect to your Palm, follow the instructions above regarding the installation of the HanDBase program, substituting the relevant template files (e.g. RCA_Logbook_v6_00.PDB) for the 'HANDBASE3.PRC' filename.

• Pocket PC users should connect their device to their desktop machine and open ActiveSync. Once ActiveSync is open, select 'Explore' from the top of the ActiveSync window that appears. You should now see a folder called HanDBase3. Click on this to open it and drag the relevant files for the template you wish to install from your desktop into this folder.