Patients discharged from hospital at the holidays face higher risk of death, study finds

Nobody wants to spend the holidays in the hospital. But patients who are discharged from the hospital during the holidays have a higher risk of death or readmission, according to new research. The study, published in The BMJ medical journal, found that people tend to be discharged more quickly at this time of year so they can be home with their families. Reduced staffing and lack of follow-up care may also play a role, the researchers say.