Timing Matters: Surgery Risks Linked to Scheduling Days
Recent research published in JAMA Network has uncovered a significant correlation between the timing of scheduled surgeries and patient outcomes, specifically highlighting the “weekend effect.” This term refers to the observed variations in patient care quality and results based on when a surgery is performed, particularly for those conducted before the weekend.
The Study Overview
The study analyzed data from 429,691 adult patients across Ontario, Canada, who underwent one of 25 common surgical procedures between 2007 and 2019. Following a year of monitoring post-surgery, findings indicated notable differences in outcomes based on surgical timing.
Key Findings
- Approximately 46.5% of the patients scheduled their surgeries on Fridays, just before the weekend.
- Patients having surgeries before the weekend experienced heightened risks of complications, readmissions, and mortality.
- Specifically, the mortality risk increased by 9% at 30 days, 10% at 90 days, and an alarming 12% at the one-year mark for Friday surgeries.
The Impact of Weekend Staffing
The researchers attributed these outcomes to variations in hospital staffing during weekends, with fewer specialists available to provide postoperative care. Such differences in healthcare resources during weekends may contribute to the higher rates of negative outcomes following surgeries performed just before the weekend.
Contrasting Outcomes for Urgent Surgeries
Interestingly, the study also noted a divergence in outcomes for urgent, unplanned surgeries. These procedures appeared to yield slightly better results when performed before the weekend, contrasting with the findings for elective surgeries.
Recommendations for Improved Surgical Practices
In light of their findings, the researchers emphasized the importance of reevaluating surgical scheduling practices and resource allocation in hospitals. They recommended that future studies focus on developing strategies to enhance perioperative care pathways to improve outcomes for patients, regardless of the timing of their surgeries.