Influence of superstition on the date of hospital discharge and medical cost in Japan: retrospective and descriptive study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the influence of superstition about Taian (a lucky day)-Butsumetsu (an unlucky day) on decision to leave hospital. To estimate the costs of the effect of this superstition.


METHODS
Retrospective and descriptive study.


METHODS
University hospital in Kyoto, Japan.


METHODS
Patients who were discharged alive from Kyoto University Hospital from 1 April 1992 to 31 March 1995.


METHODS
Mean number, age, and hospital stay of patients discharged on each day of six day cycle.


RESULTS
The mean number, age, and hospital stay of discharged patients were highest on Taian and lowest on Butsumetsu (25.8 v 19.3 patients/day, P=0.0001; 43.9 v 41.4 years, P=0.0001; and 43.1 v 33.3 days, P=0.0001 respectively). The effect of this difference on the hospital's costs was estimated to be 7.4 million yen (¿31 000).


CONCLUSIONS
The superstition influenced the decision to leave hospital, contributing to higher medical care costs in Japan. Although hospital stays need to be kept as short as possible to minimise costs, doctors should not ignore the possible psychological effects on patients' health caused by dismissing the superstition.
Hira
K
K
Department of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. ken@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Fukui
T
T
Endoh
A
A
Rahman
M
M
Maekawa
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013483:Superstitions; D013997:Time Factors