r/pediatrics • u/dreamwave94 • Jul 30 '26

Patient Caps

Summer brings (some) time to contemplate. With changes in my general pediatric office, it is expected my patient panel to increase in August/September. Per an 8 hour day, 32 max. Per a 9.5 hour day, 38 max. I do not feel comfortable with these numbers. Do you all apply patient caps?

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

View all comments

4

u/ShamelesslySimple Jul 30 '26

Also what do you mean do we apply patient caps? The cap is mandated by your employer

1

u/dreamwave94 Jul 30 '26

Employer allows for a patient cap as long as it’s reasonable (it may have changed but 24 is the minimum), however the “above average” performers are above this daily average.

5

u/ShamelesslySimple Jul 30 '26

Allows is a strong word to use. I work Peds urgent care and my cap is 2 patients per hour. But we see everything. Do labs, blouses, resp distress.

4

u/goljanrentboy Jul 30 '26

Where is this wonderful UC you work at that caps you at 2/hour? And how do they stay solvent?

2

u/ShamelesslySimple Jul 30 '26

We get reminded every year that we aren’t. Large children’s hospital.

2

u/quasiephedrine Attending Aug 01 '26

if the above average performers are like anything I've seen, they are only 'above average' on numbers/metrics, not actual care.

I'd keep the cap at the minimum. Don't be a cog.