Free Editor Choice: July Phenomenon in Neurosurgery

Background: The evidence of or against the presence of a July phenomenon in resident teaching hospitals has been inconsistent. Moreover, there are limited data on the “July phenomenon” in the field of neurosurgery.

Objective: To determine whether a “July phenomenon” exists for neurosurgical mortality or complications.

Methods: A search of the National Inpatient Sample database from 1998 to 2008 was performed for all admissions for International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes corresponding to nontraumatic hemorrhage, central nervous system (CNS) trauma, CNS tumor, and hydrocephalus. Generalized linear mixed-model analysis was performed, adjusted for patient demographics and hospital characteristics, for the outcomes of mortality and complications for the month of July compared with all other months in teaching hospitals.

Ahead of Print: The “July Phenomenon” in Teaching Hospitals

Background: The evidence for or against the presence of a ‘July Phenomenon’ in resident teaching hospitals has been inconsistent. Moreover, there are limited data on the “July Phenomenon” in the field of Neurosurgery.

Objective: To determine if a July phenomenon exists for neurosurgical mortality or complications.

Methods: A search of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 1998-2008 was performed for all admissions for ICD-9 codes corresponding to non-traumatic hemorrhage, central nervous system (CNS) trauma, CNS tumor, and hydrocephalus. Generalized linear mixed model analysis was performed, adjusted for patient demographics and hospital characteristics, for the outcomes: 1) mortality, and 2) complications for the month of July compared to all other months in teaching hospitals.