The recognition that good prison health is important to general public health has led 28 countries in the European Region of the World Health Organization (WHO) to join a WHO network dedicated to improving health within prisons. Within the 10 years since that time, vital actions have been taken and important policy documents have been produced. A key factor in making progress is breaking down the isolation of prison health services and bringing them into closer collaboration with the country's public health services.However, barriers to progress remain. A continuing challenge is how best to move from policy recommendations to implementation, so that the network's fundamental aim of noticeable improvements in the health and care of prisoners is further achieved.
Plasma Potassium Values-Brown et al. MEIBALMTISA 20 4± April 190Plasma PotassiumI Values-Brown etal MEDICALJUA With these potential sources of error in mind, the following recommendations are made concerning venepuncture for potassium estimations: (1) venous stasis is permitted but forearm exercise should be avoided immediately before and during venepuncture; (2) if forearm exercise has to be used the tourniquet should be released after venepuncture and the arm rested for two to three minutes before the blood sample is taken; and (3) plasma is preferred to serum, particularly if the blood cells cannot be separated immediately. We are grateful to Mr. K. McElroy and Mr. S. McVeigh for technical assistance, and to the department of biochemistry, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, for potassium estimations in the patient referred to in the discussion.
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