Citation

Carmody J, Michael C, Traynor V, Iverson D. Australas. Med. J. 2013; 6(8): 419-424.

Affiliation

Neurology Department, Wollongong Hospital, Wollongong ; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute (IHMRI), Wollongong.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Australasian Medical Journal)

DOI

10.4066/AMJ.2013.1815

PMID

24066020

Abstract

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.

Language: en