Patient monitoring with use of lithium

Abstract

A poster presentation regarding patient monitoring with use of lithium. Introduction: Lithium yields successful pharmacotherapeutic outcomes in psychiatric practise, but it carries a narrow therapeutic index, consequently necessitating vigilant patient monitoring. There is presently a lack of patient registries and fixed guidelines in place for patients receiving lithium therapy from Maltese psychiatric institutions. This research investigates how patients are being monitored and assesses the degree of pharmaceutical care currently being delivered. Aims: I. To highlight the strengths and weaknesses of monitoring practises currently in place for patients receiving lithium therapy from Mount Carmel Hospital (MCH) and Psychiatric Outpatients at Mater Dei Hospital (MDH), Malta. II. To identify sectors within MCH and MDH which may potentially benefit from implementation of pharmacist intervention.