ACGME Case Log Instructions
- Only one resident can take credit for each operation as Surgeon Junior/Surgeon Chief.
- Exception: Vascular exposures – One resident can log the exposure by adding “E” before the case ID and another resident can log anastomosis/repair.
- If a senior resident takes credit for the case, a junior resident can log case as First Assistant.
- Alternatively, if a senior resident takes credit as the Teaching Assistant, then a junior resident can log as Surgeon Junior.
- Log all procedures you perform in the case; however, you will only be able to take credit for one that will be applied to your case log minimums.
- Check the box in the upper right corner for any cases that involve trauma.
- Change the patient type to Pediatric to log pediatric cases for any patient <13-years-old.
- This ensures the cases count toward your pediatric minimum — even for cases that do not have specific pediatric codes.
- For robotic cases, log them as Laparoscopic and in the comments write Robotic.
Roles
- Surgeon Chief – PGY5 when operating as the primary surgeon.
- Surgeon Junior – PGY1 to PGY4 when operating as the primary surgeon.
- First Assistant – Any case in which a resident assists with an operation when an attending or more senior resident is performing the operation as the primary surgeon.
- Teaching Assistant – PGY4 to PGY5 senior resident taking a junior resident through a case.
ACGME Case Log Minimums
Procedure Case Codes
The attached ACGME case codes (PDF) are not meant to be a complete list, but should cover the vast majority of cases you may perform during the general surgery residency.