Understanding Why Late November Brings Higher Risks in Medical Settings Across Westchester
For many families in White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Port Chester, and the surrounding Westchester and Putnam communities, Thanksgiving marks the start of a hectic holiday period. It’s a time filled with travel, gatherings, and seasonal stress — but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year for local emergency rooms, urgent care centers, and hospitals.
While most visits go smoothly, this seasonal surge in patient volume can increase the likelihood of something going wrong behind the scenes. One of the most widely documented risks during busy periods is diagnostic error — a missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis that leads to harm.
Diagnostic errors are not rare. In fact, research from Johns Hopkins estimates that they are among the most significant contributors to serious medical harm in the United States. While the holidays themselves don’t “cause” malpractice, the conditions common during Thanksgiving create an environment where mistakes are statistically more likely.
This article explores why diagnostic errors increase during high-volume holiday periods, what patients in White Plains and Westchester should watch for, and how to protect yourself or your loved ones if something feels off after medical care.
1. Why Diagnostic Errors Are a National Concern — And Not Limited to Winter
Multiple national studies provide reliable, non-seasonal statistics showing how common and serious diagnostic errors can be:
- AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) reports that diagnostic errors contribute to approximately 10% of patient deaths and account for the largest share of paid malpractice claims nationwide.
- A Johns Hopkins School of Medicine study found that between 40,000–80,000 deaths per year may be linked to diagnostic mistakes.
- The BMJ Quality & Safety Journal estimates that 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. experiences a diagnostic error annually.
These numbers aren’t tied to the holidays — they reflect the baseline challenge hospitals and physicians face.
But certain times of the year — including Thanksgiving week — elevate conditions that are closely linked to diagnostic mistakes: overcrowded emergency rooms, increased pressure on providers, staffing shortages, rapidly shifting handoffs between clinicians, and high levels of patient movement.
These factors are all well-documented contributors to diagnostic errors by the AHRQ, the Joint Commission, and the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM).
2. Why Thanksgiving Week Sees More Emergency Visits in White Plains and Across New York
While not specific to White Plains, national data shows a consistent pattern every year:
✔ Emergency department visits increase around Thanksgiving.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documents significant spikes in ER visits on the days surrounding Thanksgiving due to:
- food-related illnesses
- travel-related injuries
- alcohol-related incidents
- chronic conditions flaring during holiday stress
- cuts, burns, and kitchen accidents
Local hospitals in Westchester typically experience these same patterns, especially in communities with high travel volume like White Plains, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Northern Westchester towns.
✔ Urgent care centers also see seasonal surges.
Data from national urgent care associations shows that Thanksgiving week is one of the highest-volume periods of the year, second only to late December.
✔ Increased volume leads to faster decision-making — and risk.
Research published by the National Academy of Medicine shows that:
- Overcrowding
- Clinician fatigue
- Staff shortages
- Holiday scheduling rotations
…are all major contributors to diagnostic delays or misdiagnosis.
In short: the holiday rush puts pressure on every point of the medical system. That increased pressure has been shown to correlate with diagnostic errors.
3. How Diagnostic Errors Happen During High-Volume Holiday Periods
Diagnostic errors happen for many reasons, but certain factors are more likely during late November:
A. Time Pressure on Doctors and Clinicians
When waiting rooms fill up, clinicians must evaluate more patients in shorter timeframes. The AHRQ identifies time pressure as a direct contributor to diagnostic errors.
B. Staffing Changes and Holiday Coverage
Thanksgiving week often relies on:
- temporary staff
- rotating holiday shifts
- fewer senior physicians on premises
Studies from the Joint Commission show that transitions and handoffs between providers — common during holidays — are a major source of diagnostic mistakes.
C. Anchoring Bias During Busy Periods
Under pressure, clinicians may be more likely to “anchor” on a first impression. Example:
A headache might be labeled as dehydration instead of being evaluated for something more serious, like stroke symptoms.
Anchoring bias is one of the most widely studied causes of clinical error, especially under stress.
D. Reduced Follow-Up and Delayed Testing
Thanksgiving weekend brings:
- delayed imaging
- slower lab turnaround
- fewer specialists available
If a patient is discharged too quickly without proper follow-up instructions, early warning signs may go unnoticed.
4. Conditions Most Commonly Missed or Delayed During Busy Holiday Periods
According to multiple major studies (AHRQ, Johns Hopkins, BMJ), the following conditions are among the most frequently misdiagnosed — and many present commonly during Thanksgiving week:
Stroke
Symptoms may be mistaken for:
- fatigue
- migraine
- dehydration
- alcohol effects
Infections
Including appendicitis, sepsis, or pneumonia — common in colder months.
Pulmonary Embolism
A major area of diagnostic concern according to national malpractice data.
Heart Conditions
Holiday stress can trigger cardiac symptoms that may be misattributed.
Gastrointestinal Emergencies
“Food poisoning” may mask more serious abdominal issues.
When hospitals are overwhelmed, these conditions are more vulnerable to evaluation gaps.
5. What Patients in White Plains and Westchester Should Watch For After a Holiday Hospital Visit
If you or a loved one visits an ER or urgent care during the Thanksgiving period, consider these steps:
✔ Pay attention to symptoms that don’t improve
The AHRQ emphasizes that many diagnostic errors occur after a patient goes home — not during the visit.
✔ Ask questions if something doesn’t feel right
Patients who ask clarifying questions reduce their risk of misdiagnosis, according to SIDM research.
✔ Don’t hesitate to return for reevaluation
If symptoms worsen or change, a second evaluation can be critical.
✔ Document everything
Especially if multiple providers are involved.
✔ Seek legal guidance early if the situation escalates
Not to make promises — but because diagnostic error cases rely heavily on timelines, documentation, and medical records.
6. How Diagnostic Error Claims Work in New York
Medical malpractice cases involving misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis require showing that:
- A provider failed to meet the accepted standard of care
- That failure caused harm
- The harm resulted in significant damages
These cases often involve:
- reviewing medical records
- consulting specialists
- evaluating timelines
- identifying missed opportunities for earlier intervention
Jim’s deep connections with medical experts across Westchester are especially helpful in these evaluations — not as a promise of outcome, but as a reflection of the resources he relies on to assess the facts carefully.
7. Concluding Thoughts
The holidays should be a time of rest and reconnection, but the reality is that medical systems across White Plains and Westchester face significant pressure during Thanksgiving week. That increased pressure can lead to diagnostic mistakes — especially when emergency departments and urgent care centers are experiencing their seasonal surge.
If you or someone you care about visited a medical provider during this period and something still doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts. Asking questions early can help prevent complications later.
If you have concerns or want to discuss the situation, James C. Freeman at Kent Hazzard & Freeman offers clear, thoughtful guidance based on decades of experience evaluating serious injury and malpractice cases across Westchester County.
📞 (914) 948-4700
✉️ jfreeman@kenthazzard.com
🌐 www.kenthazzard.com