[Transition in nutritional management and the home care service system in our hospital].

During the past two years, Kaname-cho Hospital has been diligent in meeting the health care needs of its patients through its home care service. In nutritional management, considering the activity of daily living (ADL) and the burden of the family, gastrostomy and intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH) have been increased. Although we started with services provided by physicians, nurses, and medical social workers (MSW), recently clinical pharmacists and dieticians have entered our home care services. Due to the strong support of our staff, it is now possible for Kaname-cho Hospital to provide a very fine, efficient home care service.

Electroconvulsive therapy for the treatment of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with psychotic symptoms: a report of five cases.

We report five cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) with psychotic symptoms treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Clinical response was observed after the first or the second session of ECT in every case, and the symptoms of NMS resolved by the third or fourth session. The mean time from the initial ECT to complete resolution was 6.0 days. No side effects from ECT were observed. Although the first treatment for NMS is pharmacotherapy using drugs such as dantrolene and bromocriptine, our results suggest that ECT is a useful therapeutic method for patients with NMS and psychotic symptoms.