The medical journal known as “Chest” recently published a study indicating that patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit over the weekend have a greater likelihood of death than patients admitted on a weekday. In fact, the authors of the study indicated that those patients admitted over the weekend have up to a 13 percent greater risk of dying compared to those admitted on a Tuesday through Thursday. Interestingly, the authors attributed this significant increased risk of death to decreased physician-to-patient ratios, “clinical fatigue”, and difficulties in obtaining complex diagnostic tests and treatments during the weekend. This statistic chilling. It should be read as eye-opener to every patient and every family member: be an advocate when a loved one is admitted to the ICU.