Capping
Formal Definition
The maximum number of new patient admissions a resident is permitted to accept in a given shift, as regulated by hospital policy and ACGME program requirements.
How It's Used on the Ward
"I'm capped" or "hit my cap" — the resident has reached the admission limit for the shift and can no longer take new patients.
Example
""3am in the ED: 'Can Medicine take another admit?' Resident: 'I'm capped at 8 — have to call the attending before I take anyone else.'""
Clinical Context
Caps exist to protect patient safety, not to give residents an easy night. When a resident hits the cap, the attending typically takes sign-out on pending admissions or the admitting attending covers. Caps vary by institution and specialty. Surgical services often operate without hard caps; medicine caps are typically 5–10 new admissions depending on the program.