1. Standardized note template improves screening of firearm access and driving among veterans with dementia
- Author
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Michael J. Siebers, Gail Gunter-Hunt, Noelle K. LoConte, Cynthia M. Carlsson, and Carey E. Gleason
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Automobile Driving ,Firearms ,Poison control ,Neuropsychological Tests ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Alzheimer Disease ,Injury prevention ,Medicine ,Dementia ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Geriatric Assessment ,Aged ,Veterans ,Aged, 80 and over ,Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ,Memory Disorders ,business.industry ,General Neuroscience ,Human factors and ergonomics ,medicine.disease ,Alzheimer dementia ,Clinical Practice ,Psychiatry and Mental health ,Clinical Psychology ,Case-Control Studies ,Physical therapy ,Female ,Medical emergency ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,business - Abstract
Little is known about screening used in clinical practice to assess driving and firearm safety among patients with dementia. A case-controlled study was performed, including 22 patients with dementia seen in a geriatric evaluation and management clinic and 22 matched patients with dementia seen in a memory assessment clinic. Data about prevalence of firearm use and driving were obtained. In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 57.9% of patients had dementia, compared with 71.0% in memory assessment clinic, and more patients were diagnosed with Alzheimer dementia in memory assessment clinic ( P = .005). In geriatric evaluation and management clinic, 65% of patients had driving screening compared with 100% in memory assessment clinic ( P = .07). Four percent in geriatric evaluation and management clinic were screened for firearm access versus 100% in memory assessment clinic ( P < .001). In memory assessment clinic, 31.8% had firearms access and 50% were driving. Many patients continued to drive and have access to firearms. The use of templates for the progress note was effective in increasing the screening rate.
- Published
- 2008