Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 7, 2026
Using Continuous Data Tracking Technology to Study Exercise Adherence in Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Published on: November 8, 2013
Weekend Discharges and Length of Stay Among Veterans Admitted for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Seppo T Rinne1, Edwin S Wong, Paul L Hebert
1*VA Connecticut Health Care System, West Haven †Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Yale University, New Haven, CT ‡Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Puget Sound Health Care System Departments of §Health Services ∥Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Washington, Seattle, WA ¶Department of Medicine, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA.
Background:
Discharge rates are substantially lower on weekends, though the impact on hospital length of stay (LOS) is not fully understood.
Objectives:
The primary objective was to examine the association of weekend discharges with hospital LOS. We also examined the association of weekend discharges with readmission, mortality, and postdischarge follow-up.
Research Design And Methods:
A cohort study of 25,301 patients who were admitted to Veterans Affairs hospitals for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during October 01, 2008-September 30, 2010, including 3845 patients discharged on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) and 21,456 discharged on weekdays (Monday through Friday).
Results:
There were significantly fewer discharges on the weekend (1922 per weekend day vs. 4279 per weekday, P<0.01). Inpatient status during the weekend at any point in hospitalization was associated with an increased LOS of 0.59 day [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54-0.63 d]. Discharge on the weekend was not associated with increased odds of 30-day hospital readmission [odds ratio (OR)=1.00; 95% CI, 0.90-1.10] or lack of primary care follow-up visit within 14 days of discharge (OR=0.94; 95% CI, 0.85-1.03). However, weekend discharges were significantly associated with lower odds of mortality within 30 days after discharge (OR=0.80; 95% CI, 0.65-0.99).
Conclusions:
The presence of fewer weekend discharges was associated with significantly longer hospital lengths of stay. Weekend discharges were not associated with higher readmission rates and had lower rates of mortality compared with weekdays discharges. Identifying methods to increase weekend discharges may create an opportunity to improve hospital efficiency.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:29Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation
01:20Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction
01:30Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Nursing Management
Assessment
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD: