Weekend Stroke Misdiagnosis Risk Lower At Designated Centers In Syracuse

According to the American Heart Association, patients with stroke symptoms who are admitted to a hospital over a weekend have a higher risk of death than those admitted on a weekday. The risk is more than 17% higher. “This known as the weekend effect,” said Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer Michael A. Bottar, Esq., of Bottar Law, PLLC, a law firm prosecuting New York stroke misdiagnosis lawsuits.

“Generally, there is decreased staffing at hospitals over weekends and, in turn, the quality of care can decrease.” However, the “weekend effect” appears not to occur at comprehensive stroke centers where brain imaging and acute stroke teams are available around-the-clock.

Designated stroke centers in central New York include Crouse Hospital and Upstate University Hospital. A list of the 116 other designated New York stroke centers can be found here.