July: When Not to Go to the Hospital

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I watch it happen every year. Not just medication errors, they are green in every aspect. That's why I was called in at 02:30 this morning.

June of CA 8:40PM July 07, 2010

Wow. This is old news. We've known this forever in academic centers.

Al of IL 8:19AM June 09, 2010

Andrea of FL. What I'm saying is I think there is a different reason for the 1 month spike. I don't believe that in June everything should be back to normal if doctors being 'green' is the problem.
If there was a problem in July with newbies making fries at macdonalds and the problem was solved in June I'd agree. I think this issue is more complicated.

wil of NJ 8:53AM June 06, 2010

To MB-ACSW --
The financial or insurance status of patients matters, but it is quite irrelevant to this study, unless you are suggesting there could be something unique about July that draws more cash-poor patients to the ER with advanced, untreated illness than any other month of the year. This is about a problem with doctors, not a problem with patients.

Lambie of NC 2:12PM June 04, 2010

Wil of NJ - there are medication-related errors and subsequently, deaths from such in every month of the year. The study was done specifically to try and find a causal link for the documented increase in hospital deaths which are recorded in July. The rate is still very disturbing and high throughout the rest of the year, but during July, when the new Residents start working, the rate increases by 10%.
So, you either didn't really read or understand the article.

Andrea of FL 12:17PM June 04, 2010

The study findings shouldn't surprise - there is no substitute for experience, regardless of the field. For example, studies have shown that the more heart operations performed in a hospital the higher the success rate; experienced truck drivers tend to have fewer accidents than new truck drivers; etc. Rather than argue the merits of the study, a skilled and experienced hospital administrator would be wise to have discussions with staff on actions that can be taken internally to overcome the risks associated with "green" personnel. I've frequently been impressed with how a review of basic procedures can result in simple changes that have major impact on reducing risk, again, regardless of field.

Wil A of GA 12:11PM June 04, 2010

Avoid the hospital in July and December. The Dr's, Nurses and staff are too busy thinking about vacations and the holidays. I had Prostate Cancer and am surgically cured. I have 3 MD, 2 nurse and various staff friends. I had my surgery done Jan 14.

Derrick of AZ 12:01PM June 04, 2010

If patients can avoid hospital treatment in July, how sick are they, really? If only the essential admissions are in July, won't they be sicker patients, with more complex needs -- and with higher risk of medical errors, and less ability to recover from the errors?
In July, the whole chain of command changes in a teaching hospital. You have new residents who have never supervised interns before, and they are learning for the first time, how to catch their new intern's mistakes. And you have new attendings who, only a month before, were residents. They are learning how to supervise residents as well as interns. There is a learning curve for everyone. Plus, new faces and new schedules. Maybe the departure, the previous June, of wise mentors who you could ask for advice when you needed it.
How can you train anyone to do anything on their own, and not let them make mistakes? Someone has to be there to catch and fix the mistakes. How can you always guarantee that?

Carolyn of OR 11:41AM June 04, 2010

Hey Webby, I'm a registered nurse. I wonder where the nurse was in the chain of events. As a nurse we are required to have some understanding of dosage limits and contraindications. I hate to blame the nurse but some nurses just give without knowing what they are doing. Next time you go to the hospital.... hire your own personal nurse to watch your back.

Thurstle mullen of TN 10:49AM June 04, 2010

'Green' doctors learn enough in one month to not screw up the next month? I don't think so. What does this say about the years of school the new doctors just completed? Hopefully the people doing this study have day jobs.

wil of NJ 10:45AM June 04, 2010