Night Call

In response to a national move to improve resident work hours, the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, led a legislative effort on Capitol Hill to regulate resident-physician work hours to reduce medical errors and protect the safety of patients. Legislation now limits the workweek of residents to 80 hours, and limit on-call duty shifts to no more than 24 hours.

In accordance with these guidelines, the University of Maryland has implemented a night float system for all residents that respond to the legislative changes and resident and faculty concerns about continuity of care and patient safety.

Residents now work in two teams.
The day team works 7am to 5pm M-F and the night team works 5pm-7am

Residents not on night float no longer take call Sunday through Thursday

Weekends:
• Friday 5:00 PM to Saturday 9:00 AM.
• Saturday 9:00 AM to Sunday 9:00 AM.
• Sunday 9:00 AM to Sunday 5:00pm (7:00pm for the Mercy first call)

Mercy Night Float:
1st or 2nd yr resident on this rotation works from 7:00 PM to 9:00 AM on Sunday to Thursday.
• Attendance at continuity clinic, Mercy Grand Rounds, Friday morning sessions at UMMS are required.

University Night Float:
• 1st, 2nd, and 4th yr residents on this rotation work from 5:00pm to 7:00am Sunday to Thursday.
• Attendance at Friday morning sessions and Thursday morning Strip Rounds are required for whole night float team.
• Continuity clinic is required for 2nd and 4th years.