ASAklassifikasjon

ASAklassifikasjon, often referred to as the ASA classification, is a system used to assess a patient's preoperative physical condition. It is a widely adopted tool in anesthesia and surgery to categorize patients based on their overall health status, independent of the planned surgical procedure. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) developed this classification, and it is commonly used to predict perioperative risk.

The ASA classification consists of six categories. ASA I refers to a normal healthy patient. ASA II describes a patient with mild systemic disease. ASA III denotes a patient with severe systemic disease. ASA IV indicates a patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life. ASA V is a moribund patient who is not expected to survive without the operation. Finally, ASA VI designates a declared brain-dead patient whose organs are being removed for donor purposes.

An additional designation, 'E', can be added to any of these categories to indicate that the patient is undergoing an emergency procedure. For instance, a healthy patient undergoing an emergency appendectomy would be classified as ASA I E. The ASA classification is a valuable communication tool among healthcare providers, helping to standardize risk assessment and guide anesthetic management decisions. It is important to note that the ASA classification is a subjective assessment made by the anesthesiologist and is not a direct predictor of surgical outcome, but rather a reflection of the patient's physiological state.