Re-learning in Alzheimer's disease

✍ Scribed by Jane Winter; Nicola M. Hunkin

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 71 KB
• Volume: 14
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199911)14:11<988::aid-gps995>3.0.co;2-m

✦ Synopsis

Shropshire highlighted a lack of action following the detection of abnormal lithium levels (Myers and Hallworth, 1996).

There have also been a number of reports regarding ways in which monitoring could be improved. Dedicated lithium clinics have been shown to provide a better standard of monitoring than individual GPs and/or psychiatrists (Masterton et al., 1988), while `on the spot' lithium estimation using an ion selective electrode (King and Birch, 1998) would allow immediate action to be taken if a high level was detected. This would greatly reduce the possibility of an abnormal result being overlooked although the technology would need to be combined with a patient register and reminder system such as ours to ensure adequate monitoring.

This audit con®rms the value of a computer database and also of a dedicated coordinator/ community nurse venesector based within the specialist service. The greatest advantage for the prescribing doctor is the knowledge that deviant results or trends will be identi®ed and brought to medical attention.

SIA Ã N FIELDING