Overview of the IDIS Databases
The searchable fields are:
All Fields allows for searching of Title, Author, Journal, Drug, Disease, Descriptor and Abstract fields as well as searching the Drug and Disease Thesauri for cross reference terms. The Drug and Disease Thesauri are also searched when searching in the Drug and Disease fields. Only valid terms may be used in the Descriptor field. Text word searching may be used in the Title and Abstract fields.
Where available, click on the button beside the field to see a list of available terms for a field. Click on the Search button to execute the search.
Logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) can be entered within a field to look for records based on more than one term.
The Connection or Boolean box beside the field box determines the search behavior when more than one field is searched. The default Boolean operator is AND. Click on the arrow in the box to change the operator to OR or NOT. The retrieval system builds the search statement by combining fields starting at the top of the search screen and reading from left to right.
Searching the IDIS Index Database
Search Examples
IDIN Answers is a database of answered drug information questions. The Iowa Drug Information Network (IDIN) provides drug information consultations to both contract pharmacy service providers and to practice sites around the state of Iowa. These drug information consults have been collected and put into a database that can be searched by entering keywords or selecting from the IDIS Drug, Disease or Descriptor vocabularies.
The Thesaurus is a cross-reference of all valid drug, disease and descriptor terms to their synonyms, drug trade names or similar concepts. Use the Thesaurus to determine the valid IDIS term for searching. Full or truncated terms can be used to search the Thesaurus. All valid terms appear in uppercase and are followed by their code number. (DR) identifies entries for drug terms, (DI) for disease terms and (DE) for descriptors.
Journals is a listing of all indexed journals and their valid journal abbreviations. Valid journal abbreviations are modified National Library of Medicine abbreviations. The journal list also includes the years the journal has been indexed in parentheses and journal title change information. Use the valid journal abbreviation for searching.
Searching the Journals
Journal List
Drug Hierarchy is a numeric list of over 7,000 valid drug names and their associated drug number. The drug number is an 8 digit modified American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) Pharmacologic-Therapeutic classification number. Search by drug name (full or truncated) or by number (full or truncated) to view that section of the drug hierarchy listing. Use Drug Hierarchy to determine a drug’s pharmacologic-therapeutic class or to determine which drugs are included in a therapeutic class.
Searching the Drug Hierarchy
Drug Terms
Disease Hierarchy is a numeric list of about 2,500 valid disease codes and their associated disease names. The disease code is a 2 to 6 character code (includes a decimal point) based on the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Disease terms are arranged numerically into several categories: procedures, disease states (subclassified by organ system), neoplasms, injuries, health status. Use Disease Hierarchy to determine a disease’s classification or to determine which diseases are included in a class.
Searching the Disease Hierarchy
Disease Terms
DESCRIPTORS (DESCRIPTOR DEFINITIONS)
Descriptors is a listing of all valid descriptor names and their associated numbers with a definition of each descriptor. The descriptor number is one to three digits. The descriptor name, number and definition are all searchable with either full or truncated terms. A categorized listing (article classification, administration techniques, etc.) is available on the Search screen by clicking the button at the end of the Descriptor field. Consult the Thesaurus to find which descriptor(s) has been cross referenced to a particular topic.
Searching the Descriptors (Descriptor
Definitions)
Descriptor Terms
Index Notes is a collection of notes about how the various concepts are indexed into the IDIS database. Search Index Notes by either a full term, a truncated term or a phrase. The retrieved index note will explain how that term or concept is indexed in the database.