Duty Hours and Work Environment

The following guidelines, consistent with the ACGME's Common Program Requirements, delineate the policy that the Rush University Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Program will adhere to:

1. Duty Hours:

a. Duty hours will be limited to 80 hours per week, averaged over a four-week period, inclusive of all in-house call activities

b. As a minimum, fellows shall be provided with 1 day (a continuous 24-hour period) in 7 free from all educational and clinical responsibilities, averaged over a 4-week period, inclusive of call.

c. Adequate time for rest and personal activities will be provided. This will consist of an 18-hour time period provided after in-house call.

2. On-Call Activities:

a. Pediatric cardiology fellows are on call one day per 4-day cycle. The call is from home call (not in-house). Fellows may stay in-house or return to hospital if needed. In the event they are required to stay in house without being able to return home for 24 hours, then they may, if needed, stay up to four additional hours only. Thereafter, adequate time off consisting of at least 18 hours will be provided.

b. Continuous on-site duty, including in-house call, must not exceed 24 consecutive hours. Residents may remain on duty for up to 4 additional hours beyond the 24 hours (for total of 28 hours) to participate in didactic activities, transfer care of patients, conduct outpatient clinics and maintain continuity of medical care. Residents will leave post-call by 12 pm.

c. No new patients will be accepted after 24 continuous hours on duty by the fellow on call. A new patient is defined as any patient for whom the fellow has not previously provided care.

Every effort will be made by the Program Director, faculty, and trainees to maintain strict compliance with the above guidelines. This policy is disseminated yearly to all program faculty and staff.

Violations of above policy must be reported though one or all of the following 3 mechanisms:

1. Program Director: Ra-id Abdulla, MD rabdulla@rush.edu Telephone: 312-942-5055
2. Rush University GME office: 312-942-5495
3. Rush Housestaff Association Executive Committee (312) 942-6000, pagers #4069 or #3062