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Psychiatric illness, medication and driving: an audit of documentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2015

A. Gallagher ,
S. Shah ,
W. Abassi  and
E. Walsh
A. Gallagher*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
S. Shah
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Mayo General Hospital, Mayo, Ireland
W. Abassi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Mayo General Hospital, Mayo, Ireland
E. Walsh
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Mayo General Hospital, Mayo, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr A. Gallagher, Department of Psychiatry, Galway University Hospital, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objectives

Guidelines on advising patients on fitness to drive have been published recently by the Road Safety Authority in collaboration with the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. The aim of this audit is to assess if the new guidelines are being adhered to.

Method

Examination of the documentation and adherence to the guidelines in the inpatient psychiatric unit, Mayo General Hospital.

Results

Of the 100 patients included in audit cycle one, none had any specific documentation about driving. One patient was admitted with alcohol misuse and was driving. On re-auditing, following presentation at academic meeting and education of team members on the guidelines, there was a minor improvement of 7%.

Conclusion

There was no significant difference in documentation on re-audit. However, an increase of 7% is nonetheless encouraging. Information concerning driving should be a standard part of advice given to all psychiatric patients.

Keywords

Mental IllnessPsychiatryDriving
Type
Audit
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 33 , Issue 3 , September 2016 , pp. 171 - 174
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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