Mortality From Heart Attack Increases on Weekends
A study published in the March 15th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine describes outcomes for patients with myocardial infarction, comparing weekend and weekday admissions.
The study includes data from over 230,000 patients collected in the Myocardial Infarction Data Acquisition System from 1987 to 2002, including all non-federal acute care hospitals in New Jersey. The authors evaluated demographics, coexisting conditions, and infarction site and type to ensure appropriate comparison between the two groups (weekend vs. weekday admission).
Patients admitted on weekends were less likely to undergo cardiac procedures. The time between admission and cardiac procedures was longer for weekend admissions. Mortality was significantly higher among patients admitted on the weekend, even after statistical analysis accounted for difference in baseline characteristics described above. See also coverage in The New York Times.
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March 15, 2007 Related topics: General Management & Administration, Quality, Safety, Errors, Emergency, Cardiology, Policies & Procedures