https://www.acgme.org/COVID-19/Stage-3-Pandemic-Emergency-Status-Guidance
The ACGME has declared a Stage 3 Pandemic Emergency and has suspended all specialty training requirement for 30 days, or longer if the program requests an extension.
In Sponsoring Institutions that have self-declared Pandemic Emergency Status, the requirements below remain in effect. All other Common Program Requirements and specialty-specific Program Requirements are suspended for ACGME-accredited programs in those institutions. This flexibility will allow Sponsoring Institutions and programs to increase the availability of physicians in clinical care settings
This declaration applies at the institutional level and involves all residents/fellows in all specialty and subspecialty programs at the Sponsoring Institution.
Residents & fellows are guaranteed the following:
Adequate Resources and Training
Adequate Supervision
Any resident/fellow who provides care to patients will do so under appropriate supervision for the clinical circumstance and for the level of education and experience of the resident/fellow. Faculty members are expected to have been trained in the treatment and infection control protocols and procedures adopted by their local health care settings.
Work Hour Requirements
The ACGME Common Program Requirements in Section VI.F. addressing work hours remain unchanged. Safety of patients and residents/fellows is the ACGME’s highest priority, and it is vital all residents and fellows receive adequate rest between clinical duties. Violations of the work hour limitations have been associated with an increase in medical errors, needle sticks, and other adverse events that might lead to lapses in infection control. Deviations in this domain could increase risks for both patients and residents/fellows.
Fellows Functioning in Core Specialty
Fellows in ACGME-accredited programs can function within their core specialty, consistent with the policies and procedures of the Sponsoring Institution and its participating sites, if:
a. they are American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) board-eligible or -certified in the core specialty;
b. they are appointed to the medical staff at the Sponsoring Institution; and,
c. their time spent on their core specialty service is limited to 20 percent of their annual education time in any academic year.
**All other Common Program Requirements and specialty-specific Program Requirements are suspended during the time of the declaration.**