Study examines teaching hospitals' so-called 'July Effect'

Jul 14 2011

Study looks at the effect when new untrained residents start working at hospitals. Also in the news, research exploring disparities in nursing home risk scores.

CBS: 'July Effect' In Teaching Hospitals Increases Odds Patients Will Die
A new study reports that more patients receive worse-quality care or die at teaching hospitals during July because experienced residents shuffle off to greener pastures, leaving untrained "newbies" to take their spots and learn the ropes. "The 'July Effect' occurs when these experienced physicians are replaced by new trainees who have little clinical experience, may be inadequately supervised in their new roles, and do not yet have a working knowledge of the hospital system," Dr. John Q. Young, associate program director for the Residency Training Program at the University of California - San Francisco School of Medicine said in a written statement. "It's a perfect storm," (Jaslow, 7/12). 

Reuters: Blacks In Nursing Homes Have Higher Risk Of Sores
Black nursing home residents are more likely than white residents to develop blisters and sores that can eventually lead to muscle and bone damage, according to a new study. The findings suggest the disparities are mostly the result of differences in care between homes with predominantly black or white patients -- and not that individual nursing homes are necessarily providing better care to whites than blacks, researchers said (Pittman, 7/12).