According to a recent article published in the Journal Of General Internal Medicine, fatal medication errors spike by ten percent during the month of July, part of the so-called “July effect.”
The journal article, which drew upon data from 1979-2006, finds a statistically significant increase in the number of fatal medication errors during the month of July. What is the culprit for the so-called July effect?
The study’s authors suggest that it may be that July is the month when new doctors begin their residencies. Younger, more inexperienced residents may be more likely to commit medical errors.
The article attempts to rule out some alternative hypotheses. For example, one might think that the number of medication deaths would naturally spike during the summer because more people are consuming alcohol during the summer and alcohol has a number of adverse interactions with prescription drugs.
However, the study’s authors discount this hypothesis because the July effect does not extend to the summer month of August. It holds true only in July – the month when new residents begin their training.
What can be done to reduce medication errors? I’ve previously blogged about a journal article showing how the implementation of checklists reduced medication errors by nurses. Following such medication checklists could also be beneficial for residents and doctors.
Teaching hospitals can also do a better job of supervising their residents during their first month on the job. And patients can be aware of the fact that the residents they encounter in July may be new to the job.

If you are looking for a Boston medical malpractice attorney, call the Law Office of Alan H. Crede at (617)973-6434 for a free consultation.