Standardized Note Template Improves Screening of Firearm Access and Driving Among Veterans With Dementia

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Standardized Note Template Improves Screening of Firearm Access and Driving Among Veterans With Dementia

Category: Behavior, Firearm Availability|Journal: American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias (full text)|Author: C Carlsson, C Gleason, G Gunter-Hunt, M Siebers, N LoConte|Year: 2008

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.

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