ePocrates plans to release a new handheld clinical reference application called ePocrates Dx, which it said will enable medical professionals to access data on over 1,200 diseases and conditions from the point-of-care.

Due next year, ePocrates Dx is distinct from both print and other handheld versions of the popluar clinical reference, as it will integrate with other ePocrates PDA products and updated and supplemented with content from other ePocrates medial information.

New diseases, or an outbreak of a disease that has re-emerged, for example, will be added to the clinical reference in real-time with users having access to up-to-date information whenever they sync their PDA.

Mark R. Dambro, M.D., the creator and editor of 5-Minute Clinical Consult, said "this partnership will result in a truly integrated handheld application that enables users to access up-to-date prescription and alternative medication drug reference information, an infectious disease database and now a comprehensive clinical reference -- wrapped in one easy-to-use source."