P-295: Driver licence restriction: effective to improve older driver safety without unduly impairing mobility?

Abstract

transferred to the Geratology wards while waiting for dedicated stroke rehabilitation beds in two Oxfordshire community hospitals (Witney and Abingdon). We explored their care. Method: Discharge letters and electronic records of physiotherapy sessions for patients transferred to the Geratology wards while remaining on the “stroke pathway” were retrospectively examined for diagnosis, co-morbidities, age, dates of transfer, length of stay, discharge destination and physiotherapy input between January 2014 and January 2015. Results: 40 stroke patients were transferred in the period reviewed. At the time of discharge from the Geratology wards, the average age was 86 years (45% were >90 years old). 60% had a nasogastric tube in situ and 12% End of Life care. Their average stay in the Geratology wards was 8.5 days. 25% of patients received physiotherapy upon transfer, 25% waited between 1 and 6 days for physiotherapy and 50% received none during their stay. Only 44% of all transferred patients reached the designated stroke rehabilitation beds. Conclusions: On average 3 patients per month were transferred from the Stroke unit to the Geratology wards while waiting for dedicated community stroke rehabilitation beds. We identified a need for increased provision of the appropriate rehabilitation services on the Geratology wards or the capacity in stroke pathway beds, to make this overflow unnecessary.