Grant: Prize: IHSPR Rising Star Award

Background: Reduced healthcare staffing around major holidays may affect patient outcomes after hospital discharge. The objective of this study was to determine whether patients discharged from hospital during the December holiday period have fewer outpatient follow-ups and higher rates of death or readmission than patients discharged at other times. Methods: We examined the outcomes of patients discharged home after an urgent hospitalisation in Ontario, Canada, between 1 April 2002 and 31 January 2016. We compared children and adults discharged during the two week December holiday period to those discharged during two control periods in late November and January. Results: Patients discharged during the holiday period and those discharged during control periods had similar baseline characteristics and previous healthcare utilisation. Patients who were discharged during the holiday period were less likely to have follow-up with a physician within 7 and 14 days after discharge, and were at higher risk of 30 day death or readmission. Per 100,000 patients, there were 2,999 fewer follow-up appointments with 14 days, 26 excess deaths, 188 excess hospital admissions and 483 excess emergency department visits attributable to hospital discharge during the holiday period. Conclusions: Patients discharged from hospital during the December holiday period are less likely to have prompt outpatient follow-up and are at higher risk of death or readmission within 30 days.