Under-staffing or sicker patients: why are hospital mortality rates higher for weekend admissions?

Although several studies conclude higher mortality rates on hospital weekend admissions are due to reduced staff and services, these patients more often display clinical characteristics that increase their mortality risk, compared with those admitted during the week, a recent study concludes. The findings, based on an analysis of electronic health records, are discussed in a conversation between Associate Editor of EBN David Barrett (University of Hull, UK) and Pamela de Cordova (Rutgers School of Nursing, The State University of New Jersey, USA). Dr de Cordova is the author of a commentary published by EBN: https://ebn.bmj.com/content/21/2/49.

The original research is titled “Mortality risks associated with emergency admissions during weekends and public holidays: an analysis of electronic health records”. Lancet 2017;390:62–72.