I am always amazed over how many elective or semi-elective surgeries are scheduled for Fridays. I know surgeons that do most of there elective cases almost exclusively on Fridays. I know the vast majority of patients do just fine but I am always concerned about the lack of follow up and immediate post op care available over the weekend. I find it especially worrisome with outpatient surgeries. Any patients sent home immediately that develops any complications (even minor ones) are forced to seek treatment at the local ER. Most of the times the attending surgeons is not on call and the ER doc has to bother a covering surgeon (even if the complication is handled in the ER). Two docs who do not know the patient have to deal with the complications.
I have been seeing studies showing Friday cases have higher M and M for years. Anecdotally this seems to be pretty well established as well.The cases still get scheduled.
Once again a great topic and review of the literature
And perhaps Fri effect for me even commented :) sorry that’s embarrassing. Deleted the PE aspect of the comment! Thanks again though. Share your posts to our fellows and they like it too.
I am always amazed over how many elective or semi-elective surgeries are scheduled for Fridays. I know surgeons that do most of there elective cases almost exclusively on Fridays. I know the vast majority of patients do just fine but I am always concerned about the lack of follow up and immediate post op care available over the weekend. I find it especially worrisome with outpatient surgeries. Any patients sent home immediately that develops any complications (even minor ones) are forced to seek treatment at the local ER. Most of the times the attending surgeons is not on call and the ER doc has to bother a covering surgeon (even if the complication is handled in the ER). Two docs who do not know the patient have to deal with the complications.
I have been seeing studies showing Friday cases have higher M and M for years. Anecdotally this seems to be pretty well established as well.The cases still get scheduled.
Once again a great topic and review of the literature
It’s also been shown heart attacks on the weekend do worse. As you said it’s not just surgeries.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa063355
But agree drop off exists. Parking easier though.
Would be curious if there could be a split between evening procedures and morning too.
If knowledge is power though seems like I’d want to be a Tuesday morning surgery. :)
Thanks for the reference on MIs - I added that to the post.
I talked about some of the PE stuff in the mechanical thrombectomy post last year but definitely agree it deserves more coverage.
Oh thanks will check that out. * -
And perhaps Fri effect for me even commented :) sorry that’s embarrassing. Deleted the PE aspect of the comment! Thanks again though. Share your posts to our fellows and they like it too.
Thanks for sharing it! And have a good weekend (ha)