Drug Calculations For Nurses and Other Health Professionals
===========================================================

About this package
==================

   This package is written for health professionals and others
   who must routinely do drug calculations. There are two
   applications in this package:

      1. Drug Calculations for Nurses
      2. Teachers Tools


Drug Calculations for Nurses
----------------------------

   This program generates drug calculation questions and
   solutions and presents them to the user in the form of
   a test. Users select from a menu of question types e.g.
		1. Metric conversion
		2. Tablet dosages
		3. Fluid dosages
		4. IV Flow rates
		5. Setting an IV
		6. Determining IV flow by counting drops
   Additional tests can be created using the 'Teachers Tools'
   package.

   The tablet and fluid dosages are generated from a database 
   of drugs which include usual dose ranges. 

   The IV calculations use a graphical simulation of an IV 
   Burette to assist in visualising the flow rate. 

   A solution is generated which shows how the answer was
   calculated.

   Online help is available to the user by pressing "F1".

Teachers Tools
--------------

   This is one program which consists of two applications:
   1. Drug Database
      Users may access, add, delete, change, or re-categorise the 
      drugs used for constructing questions. Information such
      as generic and trade names, usual dose range, usual 
      increments, dose form and preparation may be entered.

   2. Question Construction Set
      This application allows users to generate an entire test
      complete with help, instructions, description and solutions.
      The test can be included in the Drug Calculations menu by 
      saving the file in the Drug Calculations directory and
      'checking' an option. Alternatively the test may be saved 
      as a text file and accessed by a word processor. This 
      application was designed for use by teachers. The user may
      generate questions using a question generator or they may
      write their own.

   No help is available for these applications at present.


Platform
========

   These programs are written for Windows 95 (and above).
   At least 1.5 Meg of Hard Disk space is required as well
   as at least 8 Meg of RAM (although they may still run with
   less). The program has not been tested on machines with
   a clock speed of less than 100 Mhz.


Installation
============

1. Floppy disk
   On Windows 95 systems, the user should always install software using
   Add/Remove Programs, which is located in the Control Panel.
   You can find Control Panel on the Start Settings menu.
   Once the you launch Add/Remove Programs, all you have to do is
   load your disk and click on the Install push button.
   Windows 95 will automatically locate the setup and prompt the user.

   On Windows 3.1 or NT systems, you can launch setup using
   a DOS prompt or File Manager.  From a DOS prompt, the user can go to the
   drive containing the distribution disk and type "Setup".
   In File Manager, the user can click on the icon of the drive containing
   the distribution disk, then double-click on the SETUP.EXE filename.
   After installing your application, you will be able to uninstall
   it using Add/Remove Programs (Windows 95) or the 
   Uninstall icon (Windows 3.1 and NT). 

2. Zipped File (Obtained on the internet, a BBS or CD)
   Unzip the contents of the file in a temporary directory.
   See the details of your 'zip' application for details on
   how to do this. If you have a windows program such as
   'Winzip' this usually just involves clicking on the file.
   Run the program 'Setup.exe' in the temporary directory
   (using Windows Explorer or File Manager, click on the 
   program).


Running the software
====================
   The install program will create a program manager group (Win 3.1)
   or a start menu group (Win 95) which will contain icons 
   for Drug Calculations for Nurses, Teachers Tools and Help.
   Click on the appropriate icon to run the software.


To Create Backup or install Disks
=================================

From Disks
----------
Copy the disks supplied to create a backup.

From a zip file
---------------
The files:
	  _setup.2 
          Disk2.id
	  ReadMe.txt
Should be copied on to a 1.44 MB Diskette and labeled 'Disk 2 of 2'. All remaining files within the zip file should be copied to another disk and labelled 'Disk 1 of 2'. Run 'Setup.exe' from Disk 1 to install.


Registration
============
   This software is shareware not freeware. Unregistered 
   versions of this program may be freely distributed.

   If you use and / or enjoy this software please register it.

   Registration will ensure that you are not bugged by 'pesky'
   reminders to register. It will also enable the author to
   continue developing software for nurses.

Support and enquiries:
======================

The author welcomes enquiries and feedback about this software. 
email : rlakeman@xtra.co.nz
A WWW page will be set up in the near future.

Registration costs:
===================
	$50 (NZ) Individual user licence 
		This licence applies to individual users 
		e.g. students. 

	$150 (NZ) Site licence [$25 per additional computer]
		This licence applies to institutions such as
		hospitals, universities or polytechnics.
		Holders of a site licence may install this
		software on one machine for public access 
		e.g. in a library. A cost of $25 applies for
		each additional computer this software is
		installed on.


How to register:
================

1. Register with the author:
		Send cheque or money order to:
		
		R Lakeman
		100 Duchess Cres
		HASTINGS
		New Zealand
		ph (06) 876 2310
		email: rlakeman@xtra.co.nz
		
		Or
		Send cheque, money order or credit card details to:
		Masterton Paper Plus (Authorised Agents)
		110 Queen Street
		Masterton
		Fax (06) 378 7270
		Ph (06) 378 7476

2. Be to sure to include the following details with payment:

	* Registration Name 
	  (name of individual or institution - Max 35 Characters)
	* Individual or site licence (indicate number of users)
	* Return address (snail mail or email)
	* Whether you wish to be notified of updates
	
3. A unique password will be sent to you (snail mail or email) 
   which you can enter into the password field of the registration
   screen. You must be sure to enter both the name and the password
   correctly on this screen.


