This study highlights that higher weekend mortality rates are a consequence of a lower proportion of elective admissions. Extending the working week to seven days might reduce weekend mortality without reducing the total number of deaths.

A 44-year-old alcoholic (and therefore immunocompromised) hospital cleaner presented with general malaise, weight loss, and erythematous skin nodules. Computed tomography scanning revealed a neck mass invading the thyroid gland, pulmonary infiltrates, liver lesions, and deposits on the anterior abdominal wall, consistent with disseminated malignancy. However, tissue diagnosis showed a necro-inflammatory process with no evidence of malignancy. Microscopy and culture of samples failed to detect any infectious pathogen, but after an extended incubation period, Finegoldia magna was isolated. This case study illustrates the importance of tissue diagnosis in suspected disseminated malignancy and raises the risk of acquiring the rarer bacteria amongst hospital staff.

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