(Photo credit: digital cat/Flickr)
The hospital weekend effect is more than a North American phenomenon, it’s happening in Europe as well, according to a study conducted by the University Medicine Berlin.
Their findings are consistent with Toronto researchers who discovered that you have a higher chance of death if you were admitted on a weekend. While it’s unlikely you have any control to when you’re admitted, your chances of death increase by 22 per cent compared to patients admitted on the weekdays, says the study.
Also, you have better chances of survival if you’re admitted to a hospital during the morning and in any month, but February. Patients who were admitted in the afternoon were 21 per cent more likely to die and patients undergoing surgery in February were 16 per cent more likely to die.
“Several factors may have influenced this outcome,” said the researchers, who presented their findings at Euroanaestheisa 2014. “For example, it may be that standard of care differs throughout the day and between weekdays and weekends.”
The study analyzed the data of 218,758 patients who underwent surgery between 2006 to 2011 at two University Hospital Campuses of Charité Tertiary Care University Center in Berlin.
Another study done by Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, found similar evidence of the weekend effect in hospitals around the world. Their study found an increased rate of mortality between 15 to 17 per cent. Their study analyzed 72 studies involving over 55 million patients.
While researchers admitted one potential explanation is due to more ill patients admitted on the weekends, they believe the reason is due to poorer healthcare on the weekend.
In most cases, doctors and nurses do their best to ensure quality care for patients, but sometimes mistakes are made that can lead to life threatening issues or have a permanent effect on a person’s lifestyle, whether it’s mistakes made during surgery, birth-related injuries, nurses overloaded with work, emergency room errors, adverse reactions to drugs or a misdiagnosis.
The personal injury and accident lawyers at Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers have been handling all types of injuries for over 40 years including injuries from negligent medical workers. We understand the impacts injuries can have on your life and we know how to help you. Call us at 416-920-4242. Set up a free consultation and come talk with us.
Greg Neinstein
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