asked 7 months ago
Are Paramedics responsible to report or have an obligation to report a seizure to the patient's physician to be filed with the MTO? Although these patients are to follow up with their primary HCP post Treat and Discharge, is there a chance some patients may be missed? Our ALS v5.2 states >24hours however the following references >6 months. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.
In accordance with the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, the Ministry of Transportation makes all decisions about driver’s licenses in Ontario. In the province, physicians are required under law to report anyone over 16 who they believe is not able to safely drive. These reports go to the MTO whether you have a driver’s licence or not.
When the report is received, the MTO will review the information and make a decision about the status of your driver’s licence. The MTO might ask for more information or suspend your licence without the need for further evidence. If this happens, your licence will be reinstated when conditions are met and when the appropriate medical information is received, reviewed, and approved.
You may drive with a seizure disorder in Ontario, if:
- medication appears to have prevented your seizures AND:
- you have been free from seizures for 6 months and your medication does not impair your consciousness (e.g., doesn’t cause drowsiness), or cause poor coordination or muscle control.
- your physician believes you are a conscientious patient who will take your medication responsibly and follow all the physician’s instructions carefully.
- you are under regular medical supervision and your physician believes you will report to him/her immediately should any further seizure(s) occur.
- you have had a single spontaneous seizure unrelated to any toxic illness and for which a full neurological examination reveals no form of epileptic activity.
- you have seizures only during sleep or immediately upon awakening (nocturnal seizures) and it has either been 6 months since your last seizure OR if you still have seizures, the pattern has been consistent for at least 1 year.
- you have simple partial seizures and it has either been 6 months since your last seizure OR if you still have seizures, the pattern has been consistent for at least 1 year; you also must have favourable assessment from a treating physician or neurologist, no impairment in your level of consciousness/cognition, and no head or eye deviation.
- you have been seizure-free for at least 6 months, but had a seizure after decreasing medication under your physician’s advice and supervision. You may drive once you have resumed taking your previous medication at the prescribed dosage.
