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NEWS EXTRA: Janice Hopkins Tanne United States limits resident physicians to 80 hour working week BMJ 2003; 326: 468b [Full text]

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ACGME's 24 + 6 = 30 (!)

Mark L. Levy   (5 March 2003)

ACGME's 24 + 6 = 30 (!) 5 March 2003
Mark L. Levy, Executive Director , Committee of Interns and Residents (USA) 520 Eighth Avenue. New York City, NY 10025 Send response to journal: Re: ACGME's 24 + 6 = 30 (!)	The author of the article on limits to resident work hours in the U.S. incorrectly states that under ACGME guidelines that "Shifts are never to last more than 24 hours." A close reading of the actual, ACGME, new language shows that "Residents may remain on duty for 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." Since almost every U.S. medical resident can thus be held longer for these regular and recurring (non-emergency) activities, this ACGME- created, giant loophole turns 24 hours into 30 hours. While a 30 duty hour cap truly is less than 36, 40, or no limit -- and may indicate an initial ACGME step in the right direction -- it certainly is not the advertised 24 hour limit. Because of this kind of ACGME loophole and the lack of any established quick and certain enforcement, many medical students and residents continue to remain uncertain what changes residents will see in July 2003. Competing interests:   None declared