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July 04 2008

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Hospitals are More Hazardous in July

July 1 marks the beginning of the academic year for medical students, when the annual influx of new interns begins at hospitals. Many experts believe that July is therefore the riskiest time of the year for hospital patients, who are susceptible to the mistakes of new medical staff.

A study of this trend concluded that “the July medical-training period is associated with between 1,500 and 2,750 accelerated deaths every year.”

Medical students must deal with their new responsibility of working with patients, and acclimate to the nuances of their assigned hospital and a demanding work schedule. Overworked interns’ long hours and extended shifts may also be responsible for the high rate of accidents that occur when they join a medical staff.

Sources:

  Finding Dulcinea July 2, 2008




 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (5)
 
 
Posted On Jul 06, 2008
One link I followed cited a refusal by doctors to wash their hands between patients was responsible for spreading antibiotic resistant strains of staff infections.

Come on folks, basic hygeine is the first rule. Even my chiropractor washes his hands between patients. I don't know how it is everywhere else but here in Atlanta, every hospital room has a bathroom with a sink and soap provided. There is no excuse for not washing one's hands.

Now, I don't know what can be done about the grueling schedules interns and residents must follow, but it seems that patients could begin to provide some pressure in that area. Insurance companies would surely have an interest in fewer (costly) mistakes as well.

The way it has always been done can always be changed.

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Posted On Jul 06, 2008
I agree Magnolia but it should be just plain ordinary soap that is provided and not an antibacterial soap. The hospitals should also be providing hand cream to prevent their staff getting dry chapped hands from the excessive amount of hand washing they should be doing. Having worked in a hospital, I can assure you that if you don't take appropriate measures that the damage to your hands can be quite nasty.This may be one reason why some doctors having been refusing to wash their hands too often and it does need to be addressed by the hospitals. Fortunately where I worked, our empolyer did provide us with hand cream.

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Posted On Jul 03, 2008
When I was working in a Blood Bank we definitely noticed the difference for several weeks after the new trainees started work.

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Posted On Jul 07, 2008
My hospital is dangerous all the time.  It is chronicly short staffed, and in my area, our on call person covers the entire area(MRI) all weekend, by themself, and we are supposed to be a level one trauma center.

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Posted On Jul 07, 2008
So there is a possibility if you are unlucky that you could be up all weekend without the opportunity to get any sleep. Not only is that exceedingly unhealthy for you, it is downright dangerous for the patients.

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