Drug usage review sample studies in long-term care facilities.

The usage of 10 drugs in five long-term care facilities was reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of a five-step systematic method of drug usage review. Medical care evaluation sample studies are required under the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and drug usage review sample studies may satisfy this requirement. The five-step method involved selection of the health problem to be studied; development of criteria of care; measurement of specific performance data and comparison with the criteria; establishment of the audit committee evaluation process; and design and implementation of educational activities.

Judgmental questions processed by a drug information center.

The number of judgmental questions handled by a pharmacy-operated, university-based drug information center was studied. Judgmental questions were defined as those requiring the integration of data or knowledge and experience in the process of making a decision regarding a specific therapeutic problem. Less than 5% of 720 questions handled by the drug information center during a three-month period were of the judgmental type.

Combating Social Handicap.

Report on a group of parents with handicapped children who came together to organise activities to overcome their childrens' lack of social education.

Cared for and Caring.

Being mentally handicapped doesn't relieve people of their capacity for emotion, tenderness and concern. In hospital they should still be able to experience the pleasures and annoyances of ordinary 'family' life to the greatest extent possible.

Insights Through Art.

For some reason art therapy is often viewed with tolerant amusement but, in fact, it often has a really 'solid' contribution to make to the treatment and recovery of the mentally ill.