Lexi-Comp ONLINE Help: The Search Panel

The Search Panel

Image of the search panel showing it to have the functionality described below.

The Search Panel contains the controls that allow you to access online information. Using the controls in the Search Panel, you may search, use indexes, and access applications.

Searching

Enter the desired search word or phrase in the window labeled "Search for:." Click on the SEARCH button, or hit ENTER, and the search results will be displayed on the lower left panel. For example, if you are interested in finding information about Amoxicillin, type the drug name in this window, click on Search, and each of the databases where this drug appears will be listed in the Search Results panel.

	Wildcard characters may be used when you only know part of the word you want to find. The asterisk (``) matches any sequence of characters, and the question mark (`?`) matches any single character. If you are searching for a drug by name (either brand or generic), you do not need to include any trailing wildcards. For example, to find all drugs whose name begins with the letters "tyl", enter `tyl` in the Search for:* window. (Click here to see the results of this search in the Results Panel).
Note that you must begin your search text with a wildcard if you are looking for drugs whose names contain your search text. For example, if you enter `poten`, only drugs whose names begin with "poten" or terms as part of a title in a Chart and Special Topic will appear in your results (Try "potent"). Use "`poten`" (try "potent") if you want to find Capoten^®.
The drop-down selection list labeled "Within:" allows you to limit the search to a particular section of the stored documents. Fields include the following:
The Name field limits searching to generic and brand names, and synonyms. The All Text selection searches for any text that matches your search anywhere in the databases. The Charts/Special Topics selection limits your search to the material in the free-text section of the database. These sections include general reference material as well as guidelines, articles, and tables. The other choices (Adverse Reactions, Contraindications, Drug Interactions, Methodology, Canadian Brand Name, International Brand Name, NDC, Pharmacologic Category, Use, and Warning/Precautions) are self-explanatory; they limit the search to specific fields of information in the documents contained in the databases.

The Search button will initiate your search, and your results are displayed in the Search Results Panel .

Using Indexes

The Indexes button displays a list of the available indices for the databases. All database titles are listed in the Search Results Panel with any available indices. For each database, links to the following indices will appear:

Image showing the indexes option as the top middle button in the search panel.

Generic Names - Allows searching of a particular database for all drugs whose generic names begin with a particular letter. Clicking the link shows a list of letters. Clicking on a letter shows all monographs whose titles begin with the given letter (Show the 'A's) Note that you can switch directly to another letter by clicking its link at the top of the Results Panel.
U.S. Brand Names - similar to Generic Names searching, only for BRAND name products.
Charts/Special Topics - Generates a list of all free-text sections in the databases.
New Documents Last 90-Days - this is a list of any new monographs added to a particular database within the last 90 days.
Changed Last 7 Days - If any monographs in the database have changed within the last week, this link will generate a list of those that have changed. (If no monographs have changed within the last 7 days, this link will not appear)
Changed Last 30 Days - If any monographs in the database have changed within the last month, this link will generate a list of those that have changed. (If no monographs have changed within the last 30 days, this link will not appear.)
Pharmacologic / Therapeutic Category - This is a list of all categories of medications included within a specific database. Links are available to lists of drugs within each category, with a further link to the individual drug monographs.
Special Alerts - Special Alerts are intended to notify clinicians of important news and warnings from the FDA and pharmaceutical manufacturers. They are available immediately in Lexi-Comp ONLINE and are included in their own section within Indexes. They will be listed in alphabetical order by generic drug name, and a link is included to more detailed information.

Accessing Applications

The following applications may be accessible from your Lexi-Comp ONLINE account:

Image showing the applications options to be the bottom six buttons in the search panel.

Lexi-Interact (Interactions): Lexi-Interact ONLINE combines the world's literature and scientific understanding of drug and natural product interactions with a state-of-the-art electronic platform, providing an efficient way to ensure that these interactions don't compromise the care of your patients.

Lexi-DrugID: Lexi-Comp's internal drug image database can search for information on over 12,000 drugs with over 6000 images.
Lexi-DrugID allows a drug to be identified based on the following descriptors:
- Imprint
- Dosage Form
- Shape
- Color
For a review of the basic functionality, see the tutorial link on the opening screen.

Calculations (Lexi-CALC): This is a comprehensive application covering over 50 medical calculations that address drug dosing, drip rates, organ function assessment, and other issues.

I.V. Compatibility: Through a partnership with King^® Guide Publications, this application offers information on over 400 drugs and solutions, with a detailed product description and stability data. Updated quarterly and fully-referenced with primary sources, the data exceeds JCAHO requirements for up-to-date references.

Patient Care: This module allows users to create a customized packet of patient advisory leaflets (Lexi-PALS) for medications, conditions, and procedures.

Web Search: This application can be used to search outside the Lexi-Comp database to the web for more information on drugs, natural products, diseases, and other medical content, including primary literature.