This varied experience enhances career development during the three-year training program. Including critical-care cases, the department averages a daily census of 275 patients, with the house staff serving on a geographic basis to cover most of these patients. Interns admit up to five patients on a call night and are supervised by their team resident with whom they share call. General Medicine Patients admitted to one of the five general medicine teams represent a mixture of patients from the local North Pittsburgh area and patients referred in from outlying facilities in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West Virginia. PGY 1 residents are expected to manage approximately eight to 10 patients on the general medicine service and are responsible for all orders and procedures for these patients.
Overnight call is once every fifth night.
Hospitalist Service Patients admitted to this special general medicine service largely come from one of the 200 Allegheny General Hospital-owned practices in Greater Pittsburgh. Cardiology Service Two interns and one resident, under the supervision of an attending cardiologist, admit a limited number of patients whose primary problem is cardiac. This includes patients with stable and unstable coronary syndromes, arrhythmias and all stages of congestive heart failure including heart transplantation. The Cardiology Service team admits only during the daytime and takes no overnight call. Oncology Service Allegheny General Hospital is a major research and clinical oncology center and thus provides care for a wide spectrum of oncologic diagnoses.