Changes in weekend and weekday care quality of emergency medical admissions during implementation of the 7-day services national health policy

Changes in weekend and weekday care quality of emergency medical admissions to 20 hospitals in England during implementation of the 7-day services national health policy
BMJ Quality & Safety 2021;30:536-546.
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• The aim of this study was to determine whether the quality of care of emergency medical admissions is worse at weekends, and whether this has changed during implementation of 7-day services introduced in 2013 to improve care quality and outcomes for weekend emergency admissions. Reviews of patients (n=4000 ) admitted to 20 acute hospitals Trusts as emergencies at weekends and on weekdays between financial years 2012–2013 and 2016–2017.
• Errors, adverse events and care quality were not significantly different between weekend and weekday admissions, but all improved significantly between epochs, Preadmission processes in the community were suboptimal at weekends and deteriorated between epochs (fewer family doctor referrals, more patients with chronic disease or palliative care designation).