The British call it the "Killing Season" and it falls in August of each year. The rather chilling name is derived from the increase in accidental death cases in National Health System hospitals and has been attributed to the influx of newly trained doctors.
Studies have shown as much as a 6% increase in patient deaths during this time, even though, for obvious reasons, fewer patients are reported to visit.
A similar phenomenon occurs in the United States, but in this case, the time falls in July. Known as the "July Effect" in the US, there is no actual firm data to support the perceived effect, however, the reasons are similar, as July is when graduate doctors start their residencies.
