|
My wife Celia is an English teacher, and no, she hasn’t edited this article, although she says that I’m an idiot for not making the request. Words are her focus, and she looks for their root meaning to emphasize their message. Not one to be elaborate, I decided to look up “nightmare” in my dictionary. I came upon three definitions that validate this short article:
- Bad dream – one which was frightening or upsetting
- Traumatic experience – one which has the power to change a person’s life
- Dreaded event – a situation or event that somebody dreads
Obviously, this article is focused upon a “living dream” which has had a causative effect on motor vehicle statistics during the past five years because the consequences of its victims are pain, loss, regret, incarceration, hopelessness, a loss of their expected life outcomes and even death. When a person has experienced this catastrophe or has heard of others that have, they can only wish and hope that they or their loved ones do not become a part of this nightmare. In all actuality, prevention has nothing to do with wishing and hoping but rather with self control and guidelines that prohibit use of a cell phone, either verbally or as a texting instrument, while driving a motor vehicle.
When we contemplate the description of a weapon, we usually think of a gun, a knife or perhaps a pipe. One of the more common weapons that we see each day is a motor vehicle. Whether it be a car, a truck, a SUV or a motorcycle, it still has the power to go 100 miles per hour, usually weighs more than three thousand pounds, and is powered by the very fallible male or female whose poor choices include drinking while under the influence of alcohol, designer drugs, prescription drugs or a cell phone. These people are driving a “lethal weapon” and have the same culpability as a criminal carrying a gun.” Statistics have demonstrated that drivers using cell phones are four times more likely to have a serious crash within minutes of the call than the driver not distracted by the device.”1
As a subscriber to Car and Travel, I read a segment on New York Drivers. The author stated that “women and sports cars or convertible owners, especially----are engaging in dangerous driving behaviors. The reason? Americans spend more time than ever in their cars and they use that time to complete other tasks.”2 I take umbrage with the author of the article as every day, as I am traveling the roads, I observe men and women, young and old, rich and poor and with standard everyday cars, speaking on the phone while driving. Some states will fine the driver, as this is an infraction of their state law, but this is the exception not the rule, and the fines are usually $100.00, which is not a major deterrent. I have attended half a dozen funerals of young, promising teenagers and young adults who have lost their lives prematurely because of the combination of cell phones and driving.
What is the take home message for PAs and NPs?
Firstly, there is a medical legal aspect that we need to address. Many of the drugs for which we write a prescription have the side effect of sleepiness. Even an antihistamine will reduce breaking time in an emergency and can be responsible for a deadly crash. Victims and their families are quick to succumb to the wiles of the ambulance chasers who suggest that a trip to the medicine cabinet may reveal that the victim as recently been seen by a clinician and may have received a prescription that is the underlying cause. It is imperative that we educate our patients on the side effects of all prescription or OTC drugs and especially those that cause impairment. Secondly, we must document in the medical chart that this conversation did indeed take place and that the patient acknowledges the side effects.
The second recommendation is that clinicians ask their patients, young and old, if they use a cell phone while driving. We ask about seat belts and smoking and condoms and birth control, why not about this everyday thief that steals lives and destroys dreams? A number of years ago I read of the young couple who had just exchanged vows and were going to their wedding reception in Lido Beach, NY. Their car was filled with happiness and dreams as the bridesmaid and ushers shared the ride to the party. Suddenly, a car driving at 100 miles per hour broadsided their limo, and the bride and groom and most of the wedding party were killed. Remember the sad stories that are published every day and speak to your patients. We are at the front lines and have the power to change lives ----with prevention.
1.McEvoy SP, Stevenson MR, McCartt AT, et al. Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospital attendance: a case cross-over study. Br J. 2005;331:428-430
2.Car and Travel: February, 2008
 Robert M. Blumm has received national recognition as a distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). He is the past president of the Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants, and was past-president of the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants, past president of the American College of Clinicians and NYSSPA, as well as Chairman of the Surgical Congress of the AAPA. In addition, Bob received the John Kirklin MD Award for Professional Excellence from the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants. Along with his associate, Dr. Acker, Bob was the first recipient of the AAPA PAragon Physician-PA Partnership Award. He has been a contributing author of three textbooks, written 150 plus articles and is a sought out conference speaker throughout the United States.
RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE
You must be logged in
to recommend articles
|
