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Many adults experience physical, mental, and cognitive impairments after critical illnesses that require intensive care. Are these individuals fit to drive? In this study, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh analyzed clinical data collected 1 month after hospital discharge on 196 adults (mean age, 58) who were recovering from critical illnesses and who had respiratory failure, sepsis, or delirium during an intensive care stay of ≥4 days.
One hundred twenty-six participants reported driving before their critical illness; 16 had resumed driving at 1 month after hospital discharge. Based on validated measures, those who resumed driving were significantly less frail, more independent in activities of daily living, and less likely to be c…