Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology (Jan 2009)
The Effect of Weekend versus Weekday Admission on Outcomes of Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hospital staffing is often lower on weekends than weekdays, and may contribute to higher mortality in patients admitted on weekends. Because esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) requires complex management and urgent endoscopic intervention, limitations in physician expertise and the availability of endoscopy on weekends may be associated with increased EVH mortality.