The 80-Hour Resident Workweek Does Not Adversely Affect Patient Outcomes or Resident Education

The reorganization of the authors' general surgery residency program to comply with the duty hour restrictions was achieved within reasonable cost and the quality of surgical resident education, as measured by operative volumes, ABSITE scores, and written and oral board examination pass rates were likewise unchanged.

Abstract

Despite concerns that the 80-hour workweek might threaten patient care and resident education, the morbidity and mortality rates at a busy level I trauma center remained unchanged. The quality of surgical resident education, as measured by operative volumes, ABSITE scores, and written and oral board examination pass rates were likewise unchanged. The reorganization of the authors' general surgery residency program to comply with the duty hour restrictions was achieved within reasonable cost.