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Limits on resident hours may not lead to less hours worked

Patient Safety Monitor Alert, August 27, 2008

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Although limits were placed on the number of hours residents can work during a week (80 per week, 24 to 30 per shift) in 2003, a recent study shows that the total number of hours devoted to work and sleep have not changed since then, reports American Medical News. The study, originally published in Pediatrics, measured the number of hours of sleep and time spent working of 220 residents at three pediatric hospitals during 2003 and 2004. Results showed that taking a little time off of the 24- to 30- hour shift did not have much effect. Additionally, rates of resident depression and medication errors done by residents stayed the same.

Many other countries require residents to work no more than 16-hour shifts, which is when some research shows an increased risk to patient and staff safety, says the article. However, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has raised concern of the data used in the study, saying that more recent data will show that residents are more often sticking to the guidelines set, and more citations for noncompliance have been issued than in 2003-2004.

To read the article, click here.

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