BACKGROUND: Driving is a complex task. Many older drivers are unaware of their obligation to inform authorities of conditions which may impact upon their driving safety. AIMS: This study sought to establish the adequacy of driving advice in electronic discharge summaries from an Australian stroke unit. METHOD: One month of in-patient electronic discharge summaries were reviewed. A predetermined list of items was used to assess each electronic discharge summary: age; gender; diagnosis; relevant co-morbidities; deficit at time of discharge; driving advice; length of stay; and discharge destination. RESULTS: Of 41 participants, the mean age was 72 years. Twenty patients had a discharge diagnosis of stroke, nine of transient ischaemic attack, four of seizure and one of encephalitis. Of these, only eight discharge summaries included driving advice. CONCLUSION: The documentation of driving advice in electronic discharge summaries is poor. This has important public health, ethical and medico-legal implications. Avenues for future research are explored.
BACKGROUND: Driving is a complex task. Many older drivers are unaware of their obligation to inform authorities of conditions which may impact upon their driving safety. AIMS: This study sought to establish the adequacy of driving advice in electronic discharge summaries from an Australian stroke unit. METHOD: One month of in-patient electronic discharge summaries were reviewed. A predetermined list of items was used to assess each electronic discharge summary: age; gender; diagnosis; relevant co-morbidities; deficit at time of discharge; driving advice; length of stay; and discharge destination. RESULTS: Of 41 participants, the mean age was 72 years. Twenty patients had a discharge diagnosis of stroke, nine of transient ischaemic attack, four of seizure and one of encephalitis. Of these, only eight discharge summaries included driving advice. CONCLUSION: The documentation of driving advice in electronic discharge summaries is poor. This has important public health, ethical and medico-legal implications. Avenues for future research are explored.
Authors: Shawn C Marshall; Frank Molnar; Malcolm Man-Son-Hing; Richard Blair; Lucie Brosseau; Hillel M Finestone; Catherine Lamothe; Nicol Korner-Bitensky; Keith G Wilson Journal: Top Stroke Rehabil Date: 2007 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.119
Authors: Kevin J O'Leary; David M Liebovitz; Joseph Feinglass; David T Liss; Daniel B Evans; Nita Kulkarni; Matthew P Landler; David W Baker Journal: J Hosp Med Date: 2009-04 Impact factor: 2.960
Authors: Yasir S Shareef; Jonathan H McKinnon; Susanne M Gauthier; Katherine H Noe; Joseph I Sirven; Joseph F Drazkowski Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2009-01-20 Impact factor: 2.937