Standardized note template improves screening of firearm access and driving among veterans with dementia.
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.
LoConte
Noelle K
NK
Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. ns3@medicine.wisc.edu
Gleason
Carey E
CE
Gunter-Hunt
Gail
G
Carlsson
Cynthia M
CM
Siebers
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*