Weekend hospital discharge is associated with suboptimal care and outcomes: An observational Australian Stroke Clinical Registry study

• Published in: International journal of stroke 2019-06, Vol.14 (4), p.430-438
• Main Authors: Kilkenny, Monique F, Lannin, Natasha A, Levi, Chris, Faux, Steven G, Dewey, Helen M, Grimley, Rohan, Hill, Kelvin, Grabsch, Brenda, Kim, Joosup, Hand, Peter, Crosby, Vanessa, Gardner, Michele, Rois-Gnecco, Juan, Thijs, Vincent, Anderson, Craig S, Donnan, Geoffrey, Middleton, Sandy, Cadilhac, Dominique A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Australia - epidemiology; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Patient Discharge - statistics & numerical data; Patient Outcome Assessment; Quality of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Stroke - epidemiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1747-4930; 1747-4949
• DOI: 10.1177/1747493018806165

Background The quality of stroke care may diminish on weekends. Aims We aimed to compare the quality of care and outcomes for patients with stroke/transient ischemic attack discharged on weekdays compared with those discharged on weekends. Methods Data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry from January 2010 to December 2015 (n = 45 hospitals) were analyzed. Differences in processes of care by the timing of discharge are described. Multilevel regression and survival analyses (up to 180 days postevent) were undertaken. Results Among 30,649 registrants, 2621 (8.6%) were discharged on weekends (55% male; median age 74 years). Compared to those discharged on weekdays, patients discharged on weekends were more often patients with a transient ischemic attack (weekend 35% vs. 19%; p