No one likes to go the hospital, but now a new study confirms your worst fear - that being admitted to the hospital over a weekend, gives you a higher chance of dying. This study illustrates how hospital negligence can hurt its patients.

The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine published the study and found that 16 percent of patients were more likely to die if they were admitted to the hospital on a Sunday, compared to patients admitted in the middle of the week. According to the study, researchers felt that the reasons behind this is that during weekends there is typically a reduced staff, reduced availability to diagnostic tests and patients admitted during the weekends may have more critical health conditions than those admitted during the week.

The findings of this study are consistent with data from 254 non-profit hospitals throughout the United States. The study found:

  • Higher death rates in patients who went in the hospital during the weekend and slightly lower death rates in people who were already in the hospital before the weekend.
  • For every 100 deaths following admissions on a Wednesday, a significant increased risk of 16 more deaths occurred for admissions on a Sunday.
  • Admissions Tuesdays through Fridays were associated with the lowest risk of in-hospital death, while Sunday admissions were linked with the highest risk.

While these findings are startling, the study recommends that hospitals be reorganized to provide the same consistent care regardless of the day of the week. The findings also support that there is an inconsistency in patient care on the weekends and that needs to change.

If you've been hospitalized and received substandard medical care, you need to pursue answers and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. The attorney can help you figure out if you have a case and develop a plan that fits your situation and benefits you the most.

Source: Medical Daily, "Patients Are 'More Likely to Die' if Hospitalized During Weekends," Christine Hsu, Feb. 3, 2012