Residency

Ask the Expert: What are the duty hour standards for residents?

Residency Program Connection, July 15, 2008

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Keeping your residents’ within duty hour limits is hard work. Not doing so can lead to ACGME citations during program and institutional site visits.
 
The beginning of the academic year is a good time to review duty hour standards. Residency coordinator and residents should know these rules inside and out.
The ACGME outlines the following five requirements:
 
  • An 80-hour weekly limit, averaged over a four-week period, including all in house calls
  • An adequate rest period, which should consist of 10-hours of rest between duty periods
  • A 24-hour limit on continuous on-site duty, with up to six added hours for continuity of care and didactics
  • One day in seven days that is free from patient care and educational obligations, averaged over four weeks
  • In-house call that is no more than once every three nights, averaged over four weeks
 Today’s question and answer come from The Residency Coordinator's Handbook by Dianna Otterstad, BA.



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