Issue

AUTHOR INDEX

Allen A, Segal-Gidan F. Heat-related illness in the elderly. 2007;15(7):37-45.

Baum N. Osteoporosis in elderly men. 2007;15(5):29-30, 32-33.

Benton TJ, Nixon-Lewis B. The aging urinary tract and asymptomatic bacteriuria. 2007;15(2):17-22.

Bharani N. AAGP Psychiatry Rounds. New-onset agoraphobia in late life. 2007;15(1):17-20.

Bishop TF, Morrison RS. Geriatric palliative care—Part I: Pain and symptom management. 2007;15(1):25-32. Correction: 2007;15(2):32.

Bishop TF, Morrison RS. Geriatric palliative care—Part II: Communication and goals of care. 2007;1

I have found myself appreciating The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals more than ever, despite my original impression that these stated what all good doctors should already know and be following in their daily professional lives. Time and again through my frequent rounds I find patients in the hospital being discharged on the wrong medication or dosage being prescribed. Patients are not always prescribed an essential medication that they have been previously taking for a problem other than the one necessitating the hospital admission. Unnecessary urinary catheters continue to

Presidential election aside, medication management under Medicare promises to see some major changes that will affect access to medications in the coming year. This at a time—or perhaps because we are in a time—of increasing demand for access to innovative medications by an ever-expanding group of Medicare beneficiaries.

In a question-and-answer format, this article will highlight the major areas of change that are occurring to medication management within all parts of the Medicare program:

•Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization, subacute services, and hospice
•Medicare

CASE PRESENTATION
Mrs. P, a 54-year-old Caucasian female, was seen by her primary care provider five years ago with a complaint of “memory problems.” She noted episodes of forgetfulness from as early as age 46. Mrs. P’s husband had noted changes in both her personality and memory. He reported out-of-character use of profanity and a gradual onset of apathy. She had progressively become less attentive to daily routines at home. Mrs. P complained of episodes where she had forgotten the route home, and reported difficulty remembering steps in routine tasks she had performed repeatedly for y

This is the first part of a two-part series that examines central serotonin syndrome in the elderly. Part I reviews the history and prevalence of the disorder, causative agents, presentation and diagnostic criteria, and ways to distinguish the condition from other similar states, such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Part II will focus on the pathophysiology, opiate and psychiatric drug interactions, and treatment approaches for central serotonin syndrome in the elderly.

INTRODUCTION
The term serotonin syndrome was first used in a case report in 1982, but study of th

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENT
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their

DECEMBER 2007

This continuing medical education activity is presented by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

These examination questions are based on the article “Thyroid Cancer in the Elderly,” which appears on pages 32-37 in this issue of Clinical Geriatrics.

ACCREDITATION
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medic