A healthcare expert with three decades of nursing experience has issued a stark public warning, urging patients to reconsider when they book operations after revealing a potentially dangerous pattern in hospital care.
The 'Weekend Effect' in Hospitals
Paige Lennox, a registered nurse for 30 years and founder of Canadian Health Advocates Inc., took to TikTok to share crucial advice. She cautioned that opting for a procedure just before a weekend or holiday could significantly increase the chance of post-operative problems.
Lennox specifically advised against accepting a Friday slot for surgery, a time often seen as convenient for weekend recovery. She blamed this heightened risk on what is known as the 'weekend effect.'
'Studies have shown that patients who have surgery on a Friday have a higher risk of complications and even death,' she stated in her video clip.
Why Staffing Levels Matter for Recovery
The core of the issue, according to Lennox, is that hospitals operate with reduced teams at weekends. This skeleton crew means fewer experienced staff and specialists are on hand, and diagnostic services are often limited.
'If you have a complication on a Saturday, you might not get the immediate, expert care you need,' she explained. This can turn a minor post-surgical issue into a serious health threat.
Instead, her firm recommendation is to request a procedure at the very start of the working week. This strategy ensures the full, weekday clinical team is available to monitor a patient's recovery during the critical first 48 hours after an operation.
'It's a crucial change that could save your life,' Lennox emphasised.
Public and Research Backs the Warning
The response in the comments section of her video was overwhelmingly supportive, with many healthcare workers and patients agreeing. One user advised, 'Likewise, don't schedule surgery for the day before a holiday,' while a self-identified nurse exclaimed, 'As a registered nurse this is so accurate!!!!'
This public advice is bolstered by academic research. In March, a major study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found similar evidence.
The research, conducted in Ontario, Canada, analysed adults who had one of 25 common surgical procedures between 2007 and 2019. It compared outcomes for patients who had surgery the day before a weekend (typically a Friday) with those who had it the day after a weekend (typically a Monday).
The findings were clear: patients undergoing surgery immediately before a weekend faced a significantly increased risk of complications, hospital readmissions, and mortality compared to those treated after the weekend.
This evidence provides a data-driven backbone to the practical warning from experienced medical professionals, highlighting a systemic issue in hospital scheduling and staffing that can directly impact patient safety.
