Researchers from various institutions, including Houston Methodist Hospital, UCLA, and the University of Toronto, recently conducted a study to address the long-standing concern that undergoing surgery on a Friday may lead to higher rates of complications or even death. Analyzing data from 429,691 patients, the study revealed that patients who underwent surgery on a Friday experienced higher levels of complications, readmissions, and mortality in the days and months following the procedure compared to those who had surgery performed after the weekend.
The “weekend effect” in healthcare refers to the observed trend of poorer patient outcomes associated with medical care provided over weekends. This effect may be influenced by factors such as variations in hospital staffing, access to specialists, and care processes during weekends. In the study, researchers aimed to systematically evaluate the impact of the weekend effect on postoperative outcomes across a range of procedures and timeframes.
The research, titled “Postoperative Outcomes Following Preweekend Surgery,” was published in JAMA Network Open. It involved a retrospective analysis of data from 429,691 adults who underwent common surgical procedures in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they had surgery one day before the weekend (Friday or pre-holiday) or one day after the weekend (Monday or post-holiday).
The analysis of short-term, intermediate, and long-term postoperative outcomes revealed several key findings. Patients in the pre-weekend surgery group had longer hospital stays compared to those in the post-weekend group. Additionally, those undergoing surgery before the weekend had a 5% higher likelihood of experiencing a combination of mortality, complications, and readmissions within 30 days. The risk of death was also significantly higher in the pre-weekend group at 30 days, 90 days, and one year post-surgery.
Interestingly, the study found that scheduled or elective procedures performed before the weekend were associated with worse outcomes, while urgent unplanned surgeries showed slightly better results when performed before the weekend. The researchers also noted differences in the characteristics of surgeons operating on Fridays compared to Mondays, including age and years of practice.
The study concluded that variations in hospital staffing, access to specialists, and perioperative care processes may contribute to the observed trends in postoperative outcomes. Future research could focus on strategies to ensure consistent, high-quality postoperative care regardless of the day of the week.
While the underlying causes of disparities in surgical outcomes were not definitively identified in the study, the concerns and fears associated with the weekend effect were deemed justified by the observed trends. It is essential for hospitals and medical professionals to address these issues and work towards improving patient outcomes across all days of the week.
For more information, the study titled “Postoperative Outcomes Following Preweekend Surgery” can be accessed in JAMA Network Open. This research sheds light on the potential impact of the weekend effect on surgical outcomes and highlights the importance of continuous improvement in postoperative care practices.
