Lithium monitoring before and after the distribution of clinical practice guidelines

To determine whether distribution of clinical practice guidelines improves lithium monitoring and whether standards of monitoring differed between patients in psychiatric contact and those seen only in primary care.

Standards of monitoring were assessed for patients on lithium in northeast Scotland throughout 1995 and/or throughout 1996. Guidelines were circulated in January 1996 to all local general practitioners and psychiatrists. Monitoring was compared between 1995 and 1996 and for patients with and without psychiatric contact.

Both primary care and psychiatric records were scrutinized for 422 and 403 patients prescribed lithium throughout 1995 and 1996, respectively. While monitoring was poor on several parameters during both years, frequency of measurement of both thyroid and renal function improved in 1996. Standards of monitoring were better for patients in psychiatric care.

Standards of lithium monitoring require further improvement. Locally agreed practice guidelines are helpful but patients on lithium should be in continuing contact with an experienced psychiatrist.