Researchers have identified a specific day of the week when post-surgery risks, including mortality, are notably higher.
Although the skill of a medical team is crucial, new research suggests that the day of the week a surgery is performed could also impact patient outcomes.
A recent study indicates that undergoing surgery on a Friday may increase the likelihood of complications and even mortality.
Analyzing data from nearly 430,000 patients in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2019, researchers found that those who had procedures on a Friday faced a 9% higher risk of death within 30 days, a 10% increase at 90 days, and a 12% greater risk within a year.
Dr. Raj Satkunasivam of Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, who led the study, emphasized the importance of addressing this issue. “Patients who have surgery just before the weekend face a significantly higher risk of complications, readmission, and mortality compared to those operated on earlier in the week,” he noted.
He further highlighted the need for healthcare systems to evaluate and mitigate this risk to ensure high-quality care, regardless of the day of surgery.
In addition to the reduced presence of senior doctors, another critical factor contributing to the increased risk of Friday surgeries is a disruption in continuity of care.
Researchers pointed out that weekend medical teams may not be as familiar with patients as the weekday teams that initially managed their treatment.
When a patient undergoes surgery on a Friday, the doctors and nurses overseeing their recovery over the weekend may differ from those who performed the procedure. This shift in personnel can result in miscommunication, slower response times, and possible delays in crucial post-operative care.
While these findings highlight a concerning trend, experts emphasize the need for further research to better understand the underlying causes. “More studies are required to identify the specific differences in care that contribute to these patterns and to ensure that patients receive consistent, high-quality treatment regardless of the day of the week,” researchers noted.
For now, if scheduling flexibility allows, avoiding a Friday surgery might be a cautious choice to minimize potential risks.
