In July 2009, the UAH instituted a Night Float system after being extensively researched and discussed over the preceding year by both residents and staff.
Senior Night Float:
Each 4 week block, 2 seniors will do 2 weeks of night float.
Night float shifts are overnight from 11:30 PM to 8:30 AM, Sunday night through Friday morning.
As a result of steadily increasing volumes in the emergency department, chief residents in the past have implemented an ~8 hour shift system where there are assigned senior residents on on the day time shift at 8 AM - 4:30 PM, the evening shift is from 4 PM - 12 AM, and the night float resident is from 11:30 PM to 8:30 AM. As well, because the evening shift has been identified as the time where the highest volume of consults are referred, we have implemented a "buddy" system where there are 2 medical residents on, often an R2 paired with an R3.
Because of the rigorous nature of this ED Consults rotation with many residents and learners, handover is mandatory. As such, the daytime ED team has to give handover to the evening shift; the evening shift of residents will handover all the patients then to the night float resident. The evening shift of residents will also have a mandatory phone call to the attending on-call between the hours of 8-12AM as well as anytime as needed.
Any questions regarding the schedule can be brought to the attention of the lead residents cimldres@ualberta.ca, and/or Carrie Hlady (carrie.hlady@ualberta.ca).
Residents should refer to the Call Schedule for their shifts and hours.