lithium safety

[quizbuff]

Hi,
The npsa issued guidance on lithium safety to be implemented by dec 2010,
Has anyone any experience in community pharmacy, i.e seen any books similar to warfarin or found any practical ways to check patients are being regularly checked? Not sure if the gp should be checking bloods or the hospital? or will it vary from area to area and patient to patient..I have started to ask patients but have often found their responses vague as they do not know why and when they had a blood test..

[LeftArm]

The info on what should be happening is here..

Safer lithium therapy

whether it is happening is another issue.

[Gowan]

There are 2 "Learning and development" articles on lithium safety in this week's PJ (4 December)

A BNF case study Why patients on lithium need attention

Real reports of lithium toxicity show why care is needed