Albert Einstein College of Medicine
GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
301 Belfer
718-430-4282
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------POLICY on DUTY HOUR EXEMPTIONS
Background: ACGME Institutional Requirements charge institutions that sponsor GME
Programs to develop and implement written procedures to review and endorse requests for
exemptions in the weekly limit on duty hours. This exemption allows for up to a 10 percent
increase in work hours or up to a maximum of 88 hours. For the majority of residency programs,
this work hour exemption is superseded by local New York State regulations, which prohibit
exemptions from duty hour regulations and the 80 hour work week.
 A request must be submitted to COGME detailing the sound educational rationale for the
up to 10% of the 80 hour limit exemption.
 The plan must include mechanisms to monitor duty hours with sufficient frequency to
ensure an appropriate balance between education and service.
 Back up support systems must be included when patient care responsibilities are
unusually difficult or further prolonged, or if circumstances create resident fatigue
sufficient to jeopardize patient care.
 COGME will review the request. If approved a letter written by the Program Director and
co-signed by the Chair of COGME will be sent to the program’s RRC.
Revised May 2004
Revised July 1, 2013