(Research Hub Theater) Patient Views on Driving Restriction After Interventional Procedures

Background and/or Objectives: In order to secure patient and public safety, many healthcare institutions require patients to refrain from driving immediately after undergoing an interventional procedure, particularly neuraxial procedures. Institutional protocols vary on which procedures necessitate driving restriction, and the restriction can be inconvenient for patients. This study aimed to examine patient views on driving restrictions.

Design: Written quality improvement survey

Setting: Academic Teaching Medical Center

Participants: Forty-five patients undergoing interventional pain procedures

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: Patient responses to survey questions (detailed in results)

Results: Patients were surveyed prior to planned procedures, which included neuraxial (epidural injections, medial branch blocks and radiofrequency ablation), peripheral nerve blocks, and major joint injections. Of the 45 patients surveyed, 16 (36%) had previously undergone the same procedure. Most patients (91%) relied on a family member or friend to take them home after the procedure, with one patient (2%) using public transit and 3 (7%) using other means. The other survey responses employed Likert scales. Thirty-eight patients (84%) reported that it was “easy” or “very easy” to plan a ride home after the procedure, with only one patient (2%) reporting it was “hard” or “very hard.” When asked to respond to the statement “I don’t feel I can drive after this procedure,” eighteen (40%) responded “agree” or “strongly agree” and twelve (27%) responded “disagree” or “strongly disagree.” Only three patients (7%) reported that they “agree” or “strongly agree” that they would prefer to wait for an hour after the procedure to avoid the driving restriction. Responses were similar between patients who had and had not undergone the procedure previously.

Conclusions: Contrary to expectations, most patients reported they were unbothered and minimally inconvenienced by driving restriction after interventional procedures. Given the other interests at stake, such as patient and public safety, this argues for maintaining driving restrictions after interventional pain procedures.