The Risks of Friday Surgeries

If you find yourself in need of surgery, you might want to think twice before booking that appointment on a Friday. A new study published in JAMA has shed light on a concerning trend: patients undergoing surgeries on Fridays, especially those scheduled right before a weekend, tend to face significantly higher risks of complications compared to those having their procedures later in the week.

Study Insights

This extensive analysis conducted by a team of researchers from the U.S. and Canada examined data from over 450,000 patients in Ontario who underwent one of the 25 most common surgical procedures between 2007 and 2019. The robustness of Canada’s universal healthcare system allowed the researchers to effectively track patient outcomes over time without the interference of financial variables.

International Findings

Similar findings have previously surfaced in studies from various countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, reinforcing the notion that the day of the week you choose for surgery matters. For instance, one UK study reported better health outcomes for those who had surgery on Mondays, while Dutch patients experienced higher mortality rates after surgeries performed on Fridays compared to those on Mondays.

Broad Surgical Specialties

The newly published study didn't just focus on just one field of medicine; it encompassed a wide range of surgical specialties like orthopedic, vascular, and obstetric surgeries. Researchers monitored the outcomes for patients at intervals of 30 days, 90 days, and even one year post-surgery, looking closely for complications such as readmissions, infections, and mortality rates.

Complications After Weekend Surgeries

Alarmingly, the research revealed that patients undergoing surgeries before the weekend—defined as Thursdays prior to a long weekend or any time on Fridays—were approximately 5% more likely to encounter complications within a year compared to their counterparts who had surgeries scheduled on Mondays or the Tuesdays following long weekends. The impact was particularly pronounced in heart and vascular surgeries.

Factors Behind the Results

So, what could be causing these disheartening results? The researchers hypothesized that one significant factor could be the level of experience among the surgical teams. Surgeries on Fridays are more likely to be led by junior surgeons who may not have the same expertise as their more senior colleagues available earlier in the week. Furthermore, as staffing levels tend to decrease on weekends, junior doctors may not have the seasoned support they could rely on during busier weekdays, potentially leaving them unprepared for unexpected complications.

Expert Opinions

Betty Rambur, a nursing professor at the University of Rhode Island, highlighted the issue of weekend staffing further, suggesting that the combination of fewer personnel and less experienced staff may contribute decisively to poorer patient outcomes, urging healthcare administrators to reconsider their staffing protocols around weekends.

Conclusion

This research serves as an essential consideration for those planning elective surgeries. If you have the flexibility to choose, aim for earlier in the week to increase the chances of a smoother surgical experience and a quicker recovery. In conclusion, the findings impart a critical message: planning your surgery wisely could be life-saving. So whether it’s an elective procedure like a knee replacement or any other surgical intervention, remember, think before you book that Friday slot! Your health may very well depend on it.