Resident Fatigue/Stress Policy

 

The Department of Surgery supports high quality education and safe and effective patient care. The program is committed to meeting the requirements of patient safety and resident wellbeing. Excessive sleep loss, fatigue and resident stress are serious matters.  Appropriate backup support will be provided when patient care responsibilities are especially difficult and prolonged, and if unexpected needs create resident fatigue sufficient to jeopardize patient care during or following on-call periods.

All attendings and residents are instructed to closely observe other residents for any signs of undue stress and/or fatigue. Faculty and other residents are to report such concerns of sleepiness, tardiness, resident absences, inattentiveness, or other indicators of possible fatigue and/or excessive stress to the supervising attending and/or Program Director. The resident will be relieved of his/her duties until the effects of fatigue and/or stress are no longer present.

 

 

Carla Thompson