title: Standardized note template improves screening of firearm access and driving among veterans with dementia.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. ns3@medicine.wisc.edu
authors.forename: Noelle K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: LoConte
authors.forename: Carey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gleason
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gunter-Hunt
authors.forename: Cynthia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Siebers
mesh_terms: 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*