Re: 24hour shifts

[Helodoc@aol.com]

Mr Frakes-
Upstate is located in NY, where we have Code 405.  You may remember the Libby 
Zion case, in which a woman in NYC died and one of the contributing factors 
(at least according to the attorneys) was overly tired residents.

Code 405 states: "(In the Emergency Service) Assignment of postgraduate 
trainees shall be limited to no more than 12 hours per on-duty assignment."

There are different rules for in-house, on call residents, but they state 
they can only work a 24 hour shift which includes call if you can document to 
the satisfaction of the Dept. of Health that they are receiving adequate rest.

If we do not comply the penalties can range from fines to closure of 
residency programs.

Dave Thomson

David P. Thomson, MS, MD, FACEP
Associate Professor
Emergency Medicine
Upstate Medical University
Syracuse, NY 13210
315.464.6219 voice
315.464.6229 fax

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