title: Standardised monitoring of patients on long-term medication in primary care.
abstract: A three-year pilot study was initiated in collaboration with three general practices to develop a standardised monitoting (SM) system to ensure that chronically sick patients on long-term medication, such as thyroxine, diuretics angiotensin convening enzyme (ACE) inhibitors statins and antirheumatics were reliabily monitored following fixed protocols. A high standard of care was achieved, which included identifying and following up patients with borderline or unacceptable results and persistent non-attendees. In addition, the scheme guaranteed that a current set of results was provided in time for clinical review.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodway
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fleetwood
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Laker
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knowles
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care