When Not To Have Surgery

If it's emergency surgery, have it. If it's elective surgery, don't have it in July. That advice comes from Dr. Natalie Azar in a recent interview on Today. She says there's something called the "July effect" which has actually been studied.

You see the world of medicine, hospitals, residents, doesn't follow a calendar year. July 1st beings their new year. This is the day when medical school graduates first report to hospitals for training, residents move up a notch, etcetera. Studies suggest your chance of dying due to a medical mistake go up in the first few weeks of July. This is especially so in teaching hospitals. Her advice, if it's elective surgery, put it off.