How much time do surgical residents need to learn operative surgery?

BACKGROUND: We calculated the time a resident spent to acquire the average operative experience before mandated duty hours, to generate a standard for curriculum redesign. METHODS: By using data from 2002 to 2003 furnished by the Residency Review Committee for Surgery, and the operation times of attending surgeons in a hospital consortium, the time devoted to operative surgery over 5 years of training were calculated. RESULTS: An average of 2753 hours or 14.3% of 19,200 hours (5 years of 80-hour work weeks) were spent as a chief surgeon, 272 hours as an assistant, and another 938 hours for immediate preoperative and postoperative attendance. The average total time for operative training was 3963 hours or 20.6% of 5 years of 80-hour weeks (16.5 h/wk). CONCLUSIONS: The database is useful for redesigning the surgical curriculum for the mandated duty hours. It also may be used to determine rapidly if a program currently is providing sufficient time for operative surgery.     

The effect of a rotating night-float coverage scheme on preventable and potentially preventable morbidity at a level 1 trauma center

BACKGROUND: The effect of resident work-hour restriction on patient outcome remains controversial. METHODS: Demographic data, mechanism of injury, length of hospital stay length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, ventilator days, mortality, and complication data were prospectively collected for 11 months before and 11 months after institution of a rotating night-float system. Seven attending surgeons reviewed all complications and categorized each as preventable, potentially preventable, or nonpreventable. RESULTS: Both study periods were comparable with respect to demographic data, mean Injury Severity Score, mechanism of injury, and admissions. Limitation of resident work hours had no effect on length of hospital or ICU stay, ventilator days, or mortality. Work-hour restrictions did not increase or decrease the total number of complications nor did it alter the distribution of those determined to be preventable or potentially preventable. CONCLUSIONS: Resident work-hour restrictions were not associated with significant improvement or deterioration in patient outcome.     

Pediatric surgery fellowship compliance to the 80-hour work week

Objective

The goal of this study was to determine the compliance of pediatric surgery fellowships with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hour restrictions while confronting a reduced resident workforce.

Materials and Methods

An evaluation of training programs was performed by surveying pediatric surgery fellows on aspects of work hours, ACGME guideline compliance, operative case volume, employment of physician extenders, and didactic education.

Results

A 74% survey response rate was achieved. Of the respondents, 95% felt fully aware of ACGME guidelines. Although 95% of programs had mechanisms for compliance in place, only 45% of fellows felt compliant. Median work hours were 80 to 90 hours per week. Although subordinate residents were felt to obtain better compliance (>86%), only 69% of fellows perceived greater service commitment as a result. No impact on volume of operative cases was perceived. Of the programs, 89% employed physician extenders and 55% used additional fellows, but no overall effect on fellow work hours was evident. Fellows did not identify an improvement in the quality of clinical fellowships with guideline implementation.

Conclusions

A minority of fellows comply with ACGME guidelines. Vigilance of duty hour tracking correlates to better compliance. A shift of patient care to fellows is perceived. Use of support personnel did not significantly aid compliance.     

Reducing the noneducational and nonclinical workload of the surgical resident; defining the role of the health technician

PURPOSE: Recent controversy over excessive resident work hours has prompted surgical educators and program directors to search for more efficient methods to limit the nonclinical and noneducational workload of surgical residents. Health technicians were employed at a large Veteran's Administration Medical Center to allow residents more time for direct patient care in the clinics and wards and in educational activities. METHODS: In a two-week period, daily data cards were collected from each intern and health technician identifying total hours spent in work, operations, clinics, and conferences. Each intern recorded the number and type of tasks performed and those tasks assigned to the health technician. The number and type of task performed were tabulated and averaged for each health technician and physician. RESULTS: Each intern (n = 3) and health technician (n = 8) completed 100% of the required data forms. In a control survey, each intern worked a mean of 16.9 hours per weekday and 5.0 hours per weekend day. With the addition of the health technicians, interns worked 12.9 hours per weekday and 6.8 hours per weekend day (when the health technicians were not present). Following the addition of the health technicians, resident time in the operating room increased from 3.3 hours per week to 9.8 hours per week. Each health technician aided the intern by performing an average of 20.25 tasks per day. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that health technicians can be effective in reducing the overall hours and workload of surgical residents and increasing time spent in the operating room. Consideration should be given to including the health technician as integral members of the health care team in the teaching hospital.     

Vascular surgery residents spend one fifth of their time on electronic health records after duty hours

ObjectiveElectronic health records (EHR) have largely replaced paper-based medical records. Academic institutions have adapted EHR successfully and technological innovations now allow remote access. Thus, self-reported resident duty hours may not accurately reflect the actual time that is spent on patient care-related activities.MethodsThis retrospective observational study quantified vascular surgery resident EHR activities between January 2016 and June 2016 at a tertiary care hospital. Use time was tracked from user login to logout, divided by day of the week, and separated by EHR tasks performed. Each 24-hour time period was further divided into on-duty (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) and off-duty (6:00 pm to 6:00 am) hours. On-call weekdays and rotations that occurred off campus were excluded. The following EHR activity data were requested: total time, chart review time, documentation time, electronic order entry, patient discovery, and electronic messages.ResultsA total of 11,812 charts were accessed: 80.5% on weekdays and 19.5% on weekends. Total time spent (hours:minutes:seconds, weekday percentage, weekend percentage) on EHR during this time period was 634:33:36 (81.2%, 18.8%). On weekdays, 79% of the EHR time was during the work hours and 21% after hours. On weekends, 78% of the EHR time was during work hours and 22% after hours. Time spent on different EHR tasks was as follows: chart review 278:58:34, documentation 66:33:07, electronic order entry 120:50:24, electronic messaging 2:16:48, problem list modification 1:49:26, electronic messages 4:30:43, patient discovery 151:14:53, and other 164:05:17. Overall, postgraduate year 1 residents spent the most number of hours on EHRs and during the weekdays. There was serial decrease in the total number of EHR hours and the number of weekday hours with the seniority of the residents, with postgraduate year 5 residents spending the least number of overall hours and weekday hours on the EHR. When EHR access was compared with self-reported duty hours, resident compliance was 58% on average.ConclusionsEHR use after hours constituted one-fifth of a vascular surgical trainee's total EHR time. Despite self-reported duty-hour compliance, a good proportion of their daily time is still spent on patient care. This pilot study sets the stage for larger studies to be conducted in future to address this issue.     

Resident work hours: what they are really doing

HYPOTHESIS: We attempted to better quantitate resident work within our system of care. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: Academic training program. PARTICIPANTS: Surgical residents. INTERVENTIONS: A work-hour survey was developed defining 5 areas of activity: patient care related to educational objectives, required educational activities, patient care activities unrelated to educational objectives, off-duty educational activity, and off-duty hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total work hours and noneducational work hours were analyzed by resident level, rotation, and category. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 52%, covering 110 workweeks. Residents worked 80 hours or less for 57 weeks and more than 80 hours for 53 weeks. The mean number of hours worked was 77. Fewer than one quarter (21.9%) of work hours were unrelated to educational activities. The amount of time spent in noneducational activities was lowest at community hospitals (17%) and similar at the Veterans Affairs (23%) and academic (22%) medical centers. It did not vary by total hours worked, averaging 21% for rotations of more than 80 h/wk and 23% for rotations of 80 h/wk or less. CONCLUSIONS: Residents spend a large amount of time in noneducational activities. Eliminating these activities would bring our rotations into compliance with the 80-hour workweek. It would also generate a large amount of time for educational activities within our training program.     

Implementing resident work hour limitations: lessons from the New York State experience

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of work hour limitations imposed by the 405 (Bell) Regulations as perceived by general surgery residents in New York State. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: New Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements on resident duty hours are scheduled to undergo nationwide implementation in July 2003. State regulations stipulating similar resident work hour limitations have already been enacted in New York. METHODS: A statewide survey of residents enrolled in general surgery residencies in New York was administered. RESULTS: Most respondents reported general compliance with 405 Regulations in their residency programs, a finding corroborated by reported work hours and call schedules. Whereas a majority of residents reported improved quality of life as a result of the work hour limitations, a substantial portion reported negative impacts on surgical training and quality and continuity of patient care. Negative perceptions of the impact of duty hour restrictions were more prevalent among senior residents and residents at academic medical centers than among junior residents and residents at community hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of resident work hour limitations in general surgery residencies may have negative consequences for patient care and resident education. As surgical residency programs develop strategies for complying with ACGME requirements, these negative consequences must be addressed.     

Effects of limited work hours on surgical training

BACKGROUND: Legal mandates to reduce resident work hours have prompted changes in the structure of surgical training programs. Such changes have included modification of on-call schedules and the adoption of "night float" resident coverage. Little is known about the effects of these changes on surgical resident education and perceptions of quality of patient care. STUDY DESIGN: The surgical housestaff and faculty at a single institution completed a 21-point Likert survey. Subjects were asked to compare parameters of resident education, patient care, and resident quality of life before and after institution of a strict 80-hour work week resident training schedule. The number of hours worked per week before and after these changes were reported. American Board of Surgery In-Training Examination (ABSITE) scores were compared for the 2 years before and after implementation of this schedule. Total number of surgical cases performed by graduating chief residents were recorded and compared for the 3 years before and after the schedule changes. RESULTS: Resident work hours reduced significantly after schedule changes were implemented. A majority of surgical residents reported an improvement in quality of life, but residents and faculty perceived changes to have a negative impact on continuity of patient care. Mean ABSITE composite percentile scores significantly improved after the reduction of working hours. ABSITE scores for junior residents improved significantly; no significant differences were noted in scores for senior residents. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in resident work hours has salutary effects on perception of quality of life and basic education for surgical residents. These benefits may come at the expense of patient care, particularly continuity of care. This study did not directly assess patient outcomes but the perceptions of caregivers suggest that patient care may be compromised. Further research is needed to assess the longterm effects of changes on both residents and patients.     

A SECOND TIME-STUDY OF THE ANAESTHETIST'S INTRAOPERATIVE PERIOD

This second time-study of the anaesthetist's intraoperativeperiod was conducted at The Ohio State University Hospitals.The study involved a total of 30 anaesthetic procedures. Theactivities of the anaesthetists were videotaped and analysedindependently by three reviewers. Unlike our previous study,the present study was performed at a time when automatic non-invasivearterial pressure monitors, automatic ventilators and patientbreathing circuit disconnect alarms were in use. The greatestamount of intraoperative time of the anaesthetist (59.1%) wasspent monitoring the patient directly (44.8%) or indirectly(14.3%) via patient monitors. This represented an increase fromour previous study attributable to the increased use of technologyin the operating room. The anaesthetist still spent about 10–12%of his/her time completing patient records.     

Impact of resident work-hour restrictions on trauma care

BACKGROUND: In July 2003, the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) required residency programs to significantly restrict resident work hours. The effect of these regulations on trauma services has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the ACGME regulations on the care of injured patients and resident education. METHODS: A 24-question instrument was mailed to a sample of senior trauma surgeons. RESULTS: Shift work has become significantly more common among trauma residents since July 2003 (14% vs. 53.4%, (P < .001)). Fifty-four percent of respondents believed that trauma education has worsened and 45% believed that patient care has worsened as a result of the work-hour restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: The ACGME-mandated work-hour restrictions have had a dramatic effect on resident and staff surgeons involved in the care of injured patients. Appropriate methods of responding to these challenges must be developed to improve trauma care and enhance resident education.     

A 360 degrees evaluation of a night-float system for general surgery: a response to mandated work-hours reduction

PURPOSE: New York State Code 405 and societal/political pressure have led the RRC and ACGME to mandate strict limitations on resident work hours. In an attempt to meet these limitations, we have switched from the previous Q3 call schedule to a specialized night float (NF) system, the continuity-care system (CCS). The purpose of this CCS is to maximize resident duty time spent on direct patient care, operative experience, and outpatient clinics, while reducing duty hours spent on performing routine tasks and call coverage. The implementation of the CCS is the fundamental step in the restructuring of our residency program. In addition to a change in the call system, we added physician assistants to aid in performing some service tasks. We performed a 360 degrees evaluation of this work in progress. METHODS: In May 2002, the standard Q3 call system was abolished on the general surgery services at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia campus. Two dedicated teams were created to provide day and night coverage, a day continuity-care team (DCT) and a night continuity-care team (NCT). The DCTs, consisting of PGY1-5 residents, provide daily in-house coverage from 6 AM to 5 PM with no regular weekday night-call responsibilities. The DCT residents provide Friday night, Saturday, and daytime Sunday call coverage 3 to 4 days per month. The NCT, consisting of 5 PGY1-5 residents, provides nightly continuous care, 5 PM to 6 AM, Sunday through Thursday, with no other weekend call responsibilities. This system creates a schedule with less than 80 duty hours per week, on average, with one 24-hour period off a week, one complete weekend off per month, and no more than 24 hours of consecutive duty time. After 1 year of use, the system was evaluated by a 360 degrees method in which residents, residents' spouses, nurses, and faculty were surveyed using a Likert-type scale. Statistical significance was calculated using the Student t-test. Patient satisfaction was measured both by internal review of a patient complaint database as well as by the Press Ganey patient satisfaction surveys. RESULTS: Twenty-one residents, 10 residents' spouses, 11 general surgery faculty, and 16 nurses were surveyed. Statistically significant findings included reduced resident fatigue noted by all groups (residents, p = 0.01; resident spouses, p = 0.05; faculty, p < 0.0001; nurses, p < 0.0001). Further, residents reported more time for sleep at home (p = 0.0005) and more time for independent reading (p = 0.01). Residents' spouses reported increased availability for family events (p = 0.01). Nurses reported increased availability of residents (p = 0.0002), shorter times to physician identification of patient problems (p = 0.0086), improved resident-nursing communications (p = 0.0096), and increased ease of nursing duties (p < 0.0001). Faculty were the only responders who felt that continuity of patient care suffered with the new system (p = 0.02). The Press Ganey review showed improvement in the quality of care rendered as perceived by patients. CONCLUSIONS: The institution of a specialized NF or CCS for in-house coverage of general surgical services in a large metropolitan university hospital has had initial success in meeting the mandated changes in resident work hours. The CCS reduced resident fatigue, improved quality of resident life, and improved patient care as judged by patients and nurse.     

Before and after resident work hour limitations: an objective assessment of the well-being of surgical residents

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of resident work hour limitations on how surgical residents feel about their training, patient care, and their overall well-being. METHODS: Three surveys were administered to 28 categorical surgery residents before and after implementation of the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) work hour restrictions. The surveys consisted of a Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), a SF-36 Health Status Profile (SF-36), and a custom 20-item Likert scale survey. The results of the surveys were then compiled to evaluate any significant changes in resident attitudes. RESULTS: Only minor differences were noted in the BDI-II and SF-36. The Likert scale survey showed no differences in attitude toward resident education, faculty interaction, operating room exposure, patient care, or continuity. Significant improvements were noted in the feelings of residents toward time for reading, rest, time with family, and socializing. CONCLUSIONS: Although a great deal of concern has existed about the impact of work hour limitations on surgery resident training, residents feel their training has not been affected significantly. Work hour restrictions have, however, had a positive impact on the lives of surgery residents outside of the hospital.     

The early effects of code 405 work rules on attitudes of orthopaedic residents and attending surgeons

BACKGROUND: The impact of strict enforcement of Section 405 of the New York State Public Health Code to restrict resident work to eighty hours per week and the adoption of a similar policy by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education in 2002 for orthopaedic residency training have not been evaluated. Adoption of these rules has created accreditation as well as staffing problems and has generated controversy in the surgical training community. The purposes of this study were (1) to evaluate the attitudes of orthopaedic residents and attending surgeons toward the Code 405 work-hour regulations and the effect of those regulations on the perceived quality of residency training, quality of life, and patient care and (2) to quantify the effect of the work-hour restrictions on the actual number of hours worked. METHODS: We administered a thirty-four-question Likert-style questionnaire to forty-eight orthopaedic surgery residents (postgraduate years [PGY]-2 through 5) and a similar twenty-nine-question Likert-style questionnaire to thirty-nine orthopaedic attending surgeons. All questionnaires were collected anonymously and analyzed. Additionally, resident work hours before and after strict enforcement of the Code 405 regulations were obtained from resident time sheets. RESULTS: The average weekly work hours decreased from 89.25 to 74.25 hours for PGY-2 residents and from 86.5 to 73.25 hours for PGY-3 residents, and they increased from 61.5 to 68.5 hours for PGY-4 residents. Residents at all levels felt that they had increased time available for reading. There was general agreement between attending and resident surgeons that their operating experience had been negatively impacted. Senior residents thought that their education had been negatively affected, while junior residents thought that their operating experience in general had been negatively affected. Senior residents and attending surgeons felt that continuity of care had been negatively impacted. All agreed that quality of life for the residents had improved and that residents were more rested. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the survey data, the implementation of the new work-hour restrictions was found to result in a decrease in the number of hours worked per week for PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents and in an increase in work hours for PGY-4 residents. This could explain the definite difference between the attitudes expressed by the senior residents and those of the junior residents. Senior residents felt that their education was negatively impacted by the work rules, while junior residents expressed a more neutral view. However, senior residents did not believe that their operative experience was as negatively impacted as did junior residents. Although junior and senior residents and attending surgeons agreed that resident quality of life had improved, we were not able to determine whether this offset the perceived negative impact on education, continuity of care, and operative experience.     

Life after 80 hours: the impact of resident work hours mandates on trauma and emergency experience and work effort for senior residents and faculty

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of work hours mandates on (1) senior resident patient exposure and operating experience in trauma and emergency surgery and (2) faculty work effort. METHODS: We measured resident and faculty work on the trauma and emergency surgery services at our Level I trauma center during two comparable 6-month periods. Period 1 (July 1-December 31, 2002) had no call restrictions, separate trauma and emergency service resident call, and some overlap of faculty call responsibilities. Period 2 (July 1-December 31, 2003) had resident work hours compliance and complete integration of resident and faculty trauma and emergency call. Work hours were measured by surveys for faculty and residents. All data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Resident exposure to trauma patients was similar during both time periods. Emergency surgery admissions declined during period 2; however, intensive care unit admissions increased. The number of operations performed by senior residents did not change; however, there was a shift in the median number of emergency surgery cases to more senior residents. Faculty work hours increased slightly despite a decrease in faculty call. CONCLUSION: Work hours compliance resulted in a 50% reduction in senior resident call and a 19% decrease in their work hours with no significant change in trauma/emergency patient care exposure or operative case load. Service call amalgamation reduced faculty call by 21% but did not result in a corresponding change in work hours or productivity.     

综合医院病房护士输液治疗工时测算与分析

目的探讨综合医院病房护士输液治疗工作现状及其对护理人力资源和护理质量的影响。方法连续1周对全院22个病区白天A班(8:00~16:00)输液治疗工作现状进行调查统计。结果病房护士每日给每例患者静脉输液治疗的平均工时为39.3min;全院病房护士每日用于患者静脉输液治疗的总工时占白班护士总工时的64.8%,占每日全院护理总作业时间的32.4%。基础护理质量,特、一级护理质量分别与输液治疗工时占护理总工时之比呈负相关(均P<0.05)。结论静脉输液治疗、药物配制花费了大量的护士人力和时间,影响了患者的护理质量。建议将全院的静脉液体集中配制,建立新的医嘱处理系统,建立后勤保障系统,有效利用护理人力资源。     

A randomized, controlled trial evaluating the impact of a computerized rounding and sign-out system on continuity of care and resident work hours

BACKGROUND: Adoption of limits on resident work hours prompted us to develop a centralized, Web-based computerized rounding and sign-out system (UWCores) that securely stores sign-out information; automatically downloads patient data (vital signs, laboratories); and prints them to rounding, sign-out, and progress note templates. We tested the hypothesis that this tool would positively impact continuity of care and resident workflow by improving team communication involving patient handovers and streamlining inefficiencies, such as hand-copying patient data during work before rounds ("prerounds"). STUDY DESIGN: Fourteen inpatient resident teams (6 general surgery, 8 internal medicine) at two teaching hospitals participated in a 5-month, prospective, randomized, crossover study. Data collected included number of patients missed on resident rounds, subjective continuity of care quality and workflow efficiency with and without UWCores, and daily self-reported prerounding and rounding times and tasks. RESULTS: UWCores halved the number of patients missed on resident rounds (2.5 versus 5 patients/team/month, p = 0.0001); residents spent 40% more of their prerounds time seeing patients (p = 0.36); residents reported better sign-out quality (69.6% agree or strongly agree); and improved continuity of care (66.1% agree or strongly agree). UWCores halved the portion of prerounding time spent hand-copying basic data (p < 0.0001); it shortened team rounds by 1.5 minutes/patient (p = 0.0006); and residents reported finishing their work sooner using UWCores (82.1% agree or strongly agree). CONCLUSIONS: This system enhances patient care by decreasing patients missed on resident rounds and improving resident-reported quality of sign-out and continuity of care. It decreases by up to 3 hours per week (range 1.5 to 3) the time used by residents to complete rounds; it diverts prerounding time from recopying data to more productive tasks; and it facilitates meeting the 80-hour work week requirement by helping residents finish their work sooner.     

Effect of the 80-hour workweek on resident burnout

HYPOTHESIS: With the introduction of the newly mandated restrictions on resident work hours, we expected improvement in subjective feelings of personal accomplishment and lessened emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. DESIGN: Residents and faculty members completed an anonymous online Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (3rd ed; Consulting Psychologist Press Inc, Palo Alto, Calif) and work-hour registry before and after implementation of new restrictions. SETTING: Urban, university-based department of surgery. PARTICIPANTS: All house staff (n = 37) and faculty (n = 27). INTERVENTION: Introduction of new Institutional Standards for Resident Duty Hours 2003.Main Outcome Measure Resident work hours and levels of emotional exhaustion, perceived degree of depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. RESULTS: Resident work hours per week decreased from 100.7 to 82.6 (P < .05) with introduction of the new schedule. Home call and formal educational activity time within working hours (eg, clinical conferences) significantly (P < .05) decreased from 11.5 and 4.8 hours to 4.6 and 2.5 hours per week, respectively. Operating room hours, clinic time, and duration of rounds did not show a significant change. Changes in parameters of resident and faculty emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment did not show statistical significance (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite successful reductions in resident work hours, measures of burnout were not significantly affected. However, important clinical activities such as time spent in the operating room, clinic, and making rounds were maintained. Formal in-hospital education time was reduced.     

Effect of the 30-hour work limit on resident experience and education

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the 30-hour restriction on resident operative participation and assess whether the 30-hour restriction can be extended in certain cases to enhance educational experience and continuity of care without being detrimental to the 80-hour limit. METHODS: In September 2006, we administered a 10-item Likert scale survey to 41 general surgery residents to assess their experience with the 30-hour work restriction. We also reviewed the operative reports from the busiest general surgery service in April 2003 and April 2005 to assess surgical participation before and after the 30-hour restriction. RESULTS: Twenty-three (56%) residents reported missed operations each month because of the 30-hour restriction. Thirty-four (83%) reported occasions where participating in an operation would require only an additional 1-4 hours. Thirty-six (88%) residents reported a better educational experience when operating on patients whom they had evaluated and a preference to operate on patients whom they had evaluated. The operative log review revealed that in April 2003, the resident assigned to the service participated in 47 out of 134 (35%) total operations and 11 out of 30 (37%) operations beginning after noon. In April 2005, the resident assigned to the service participated in 49 out of 109 (45%) total operations and 20 out of 45 (44%) of the operations beginning after noon. CONCLUSION: The difference in the amount of operations involving resident participation before and after the 30-hour restriction, including afternoon cases that would be most affected by the work restriction, was minimal. However, we identified occasions when the 30-hour work restriction could be extended to provide continuity of care and a better educational operative experience while maintaining weekly duty hours within the approved limit. Extensions beyond the 30 hours should be limited to providing unique and comprehensive experiences for residents where the additional time or episodes would not cause resident fatigue.     

Use of a personal digital assistant to monitor surgery student work and sleep hours

BACKGROUND: We developed a personal digital assistant (PDA)-based program to assess compliance with our medical student work hours policy, and to correlate work hours with sleep and performance. METHODS: Medical students on surgery clerkship logged real-time work and sleep hours for 1 week. Estimated work hours, clinical evaluations, and score on the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) surgery examination were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven students logged work hours, which correlated poorly with estimated work hours and sleep hours. The majority of students overestimated work hours by a mean of 19.5 hours. Twenty-four students transgressed written policy. Increased in-hospital study hours correlated with improved clinical ratings but poorer NBME examination scores. Increased operating room hours correlated with higher NBME examination scores. CONCLUSIONS: Medical students inaccurately estimate work hours; a PDA-based log facilitates hours monitoring. Unenforced work hour policies are frequently transgressed. Work activity patterns, but not total work hours, correlated with outcomes on standardized written tests and clinical ratings.     

Implementation of duty hour standards in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency training.

OBJECTIVE: To determine what impact, if any, of the recently implemented duty hour standards have had on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency programs from the perspective of program directors. We hypothesized that the implementation of resident duty hour limitations have caused changes in otolaryngology training programs in the United States. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Information was collected via survey in a prospective, blinded fashion from program directors of otolaryngology-head and neck residency training programs in the United States. RESULTS: Overall, limitation of resident duty hours is not an improvement in otolaryngology-head and neck residency training according to 77% of the respondents. The limitations on duty hours have caused changes in the resident work schedules in 71% of the programs responding. Approximately half of the residents have a favorable impression of the work hour changes. Thirty-two percent of the respondents indicate that changes to otolaryngology support staff were required, and of those many hired physician assistants. Eighty-four percent of the respondents did not believe that the limitations on resident duty hours improved patient care, and 81% believed that it has negatively impacted resident training experience. Forty-five percent of the program directors felt that otolaryngology-head and neck faculty were forced to increase their work loads to accommodate the decrease in the time that residents were allowed to be involved in clinical activities. Fifty-four percent of the programs changed from in-hospital to home call to accommodate the duty hour restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: According to the majority of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery program directors who responded to the survey, the limitations on resident duty hours imposed by the ACGME are not an improvement in residency training, do not improve patient care, and have decreased the training experience of residents. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that multiple changes have been made to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training programs because of work hour limitations set forth by the ACGME.