Weekend hospitalization and mortality: a critical review

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented a positive association between weekend hospitalization and mortality. Some researchers have argued that these associations are causal and arise from weekend reductions in hospital staffing. Others have suggested that the observed correlations reflect differences in the unobservable characteristics of weekend versus weekday patients. The existing literature has provided only limited evidence of the specific pathways through which weekend hospitalization might affect health outcomes. This article outlines the limitations of the existing research and highlights the need for in-depth condition-specific studies that acknowledge the potential threat posed by selection bias.

Keywords::

• myocardial infarction
• quality
• selection bias
• temporal variation

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this special report manuscript.