Duty Hours

UCSF Duty Hours

Duty Hours Limitations

• 80 hours per week limit, averaged over a four-week period, includes all in-house call and return to hospital time for at home call.
• In-house call no more often than every third night, averaged over a four-week period.
• Limit of 24 hours per shift (defined as continuous on-site duty, including in-house call) with allowance of up to 6 additional hours to participate in didactic activities, transfer care of patients, conduct outpatient clinics, and maintain continuity of medical and surgical care.
• No new patients may be accepted after 24 hours of continuous duty ("new patient" as defined in Specialty and Subspecialty Program Requirements).
• Minimum rest period between all daily duty periods and after in-house call that should be 10 hours.
• One full day (24 hours) per 7 days free from all clinical, educational, and administrative activities averaged over a 4-week period, inclusive of all call.
• Faculty and residents/fellows must be educated to recognize the signs of fatigue.
• Residency or fellowship programs must have a policy to prevent, monitor, and counteract the potential negative effects of fatigue.

Educational Resources
on Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation for Residents

1. Dinges FATIGUE Presentation
- ACGME Educational Conference, 2002
2. SLEEP, ALERTNESS, and FATIGUE Education in Residency
- AASM, 2005

ACGME Institutional Requirements - July 1, 2007

If you feel you or your program are in violation of these limitations or have questions about them, please contact:

Duty Hours Documents

• Updated: June 18, 2008
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