Posted On:
March 29, 2010
HIGHER HOSPITAL OCCUPANCY EQUATED WITH HIGHER PATIENT DEATH RATE
Patients are nearly 6% more likely to die when they are admitted to a hospital when that hospital is at or near their peak capacity, according to a March issue of Medical Care. Similarly, patients fare better when more nurses are on duty. Sadly, patient risk increases by nearly 8% during weekend admissions and even more (12%) when admission occurs during peak flu system.
Study findings like these should prompt local area hospitals to look at not only the flow of patients, but also at whether hospitals are providing appropriate care during times with high occupancy. Hospitals should also be looking at how to increase patient care during peak flu season and during weekend admissions.
