Code 99—Who's Watching?-To the Editor

Abstract

Your thoughtful response to my letter regarding attending-level supervision of code 99s was interesting. Like you (from the opinions you have expressed in CHEST), I am frustrated by many of the regulating bodies (ie, HCFA, ACGME) that have reduced house staff autonomy in many settings. It clearly is to the detriment of training in many circumstances. However, if we are going to have a system that requires attending review and documentation of even the most straightforward of outpatient and inpatient assessments, then consistency would dictate a greater level of supervision of more important and complex patient care scenarios.