Older patients drive more safely than their younger counterparts after surgery and anesthesia care at ambulatory surgery facilities, according to a presentation at Anesthesiology 2011.
According to the report, the researchers recognized that patients might have a need to drive sooner than the 24-hour waiting period typically recommended, as ambulatory surgical procedures and short-acting anesthetics become more prevalent.
The researchers tested 198 patients undergoing minor same-day surgery using a driving simulator, depicting a drive from the facility to their homes. Researchers tested them at two time points: immediately before surgery and again immediately prior to leaving the center, following a minor surgical procedure under sedation.
The researchers' primary measurement was the amount of "weaving" on the road, followed by the number of accidents and the number of driving violations. The researchers found that older patients drove slower and had better corresponding weaving scores because they were able to correct deviations more quickly. The more cautious driving style led to a better and safer driving score.
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According to the report, the researchers recognized that patients might have a need to drive sooner than the 24-hour waiting period typically recommended, as ambulatory surgical procedures and short-acting anesthetics become more prevalent.
The researchers tested 198 patients undergoing minor same-day surgery using a driving simulator, depicting a drive from the facility to their homes. Researchers tested them at two time points: immediately before surgery and again immediately prior to leaving the center, following a minor surgical procedure under sedation.
The researchers' primary measurement was the amount of "weaving" on the road, followed by the number of accidents and the number of driving violations. The researchers found that older patients drove slower and had better corresponding weaving scores because they were able to correct deviations more quickly. The more cautious driving style led to a better and safer driving score.
Related Articles on Surgery and Anesthesia:
Global Anesthesia Equipment Market to Grow 7.4% Through 2014
Kentucky Anesthesiologist Charged With Fraudulently Billing Medicare $90k
Demand for Anesthesia Information Management Systems on the Rise