Editors' note: Standard operating procedures improve acute neurologic care in a sub-Saharan African setting

Abstract

In “Standard operating procedures improve acute neurologic care in a sub-Saharan African setting,” the authors showed that implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) in resource-limited countries is possible and potentially valuable. Dr. Chin points out that while SOP utilization increased in the first 2 years, it was under experimental conditions, which likely artificially increased adherence. He also highlights that clinical outcomes did not change significantly but may improve with the addition of postemergency management SOPs as well. Authors Fassbender et al. agree that health care in sub-Saharan Africa is subject to many formidable limitations, including financial, structural, and personnel constraints, but note that the implementation of SOPs is a positive act that can be accomplished quickly and with available resources. They agree that expanding SOPs into postemergency management and prevention may be the next step. In “Olfaction and risk of dementia in a biracial cohort of older adults,” the authors found an association between worsened olfaction and dementia. Drs. Fuller-Thomson and Jopling suggest the link is cumulative lifetime lead exposure, associated with both deterioration in olfaction and cognitive decline.