Association of duty hour reform with outcomes of patients treated by new surgeons

Editor's Note

Duty hour reform had no significant effect on 30-day mortality achieved by new vs experienced surgeons, but there was an increase in resources needed for patient care after reform, this study finds.

A total of 1,483,074 Medicare patients having general and orthopedic surgery were analyzed before and after duty hour reform.

Before reform, the odds of 30-day mortality in patients treated by new vs experienced surgeons were significantly elevated; after reform, the elevated odds of mortality were not significant. The relative performance of new and experienced surgeons with respect to 30-day mortality did not change before and after duty hour reform.

There were statistically significant adverse changes over time for new vs experienced surgeons in terms of prolonged patient length of stay, anesthesia time, and costs.