A Lithium Clinic
D. R. BEY M.D.1,
R. E. CHAPMAN M.D.1, , and
K. L. TORNQUIST R.N.2
1 Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Peoria School of Medicine, Peoria, Ill., and Champaign School of Medicine, Champaign, Ill. and private practice at Franklin Avenue Medical Center, Normal, Ill. 61761
2 Psychiatric nurse, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Peoria School of Medicine, Peoria, Ill., and Champaign School of Medicine, Champaign, Ill. and Franklin Avenue Medical Center, Normal, Ill. 61761
The authors describe a lithium clinic, which they believe provides an effective method of managing and keeping track of patients taking lithium carbonate. The clinic, conducted by a registered nurse under psychiatrists' supervision, generally helps patients to achieve a better understanding of lithium, educating them concerning its toxic and side effects and the levels of lithium in the blood. The authors feel such a clinic may help prevent relapses of affective symptoms.
