anaesthesia-icu

Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3)

Updated SAPS score using data from time of ICU admission (Box I: pre-hospital; Box II: admission circumstances; Box III: physiology). Predicts ICU and hospital mortality. Validated internationally. Calibrated for current intensive care practice.

Age (years)*

Comorbidities (select highest applicable)*

Length of hospital stay before ICU admission*

Location before ICU admission*

Reason for ICU admission (select primary reason)*

Glasgow Coma Score at ICU admission*

Bilirubin (µmol/L)*

Creatinine (µmol/L) at ICU admission*

Heart rate (bpm) — worst value*

Leukocytes (×10⁹/L)*

Platelet count (×10⁹/L)*

PaO2/FiO2 ratio (if ventilated) OR SpO2 (if not ventilated)*

Arterial pH*

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) — worst value*

Temperature (°C) — worst value*

Score interpretation

Low Mortality Risk 0–39

SAPS 3 <40 — predicted hospital mortality <5%

→ Standard ICU care; organ support as needed; daily reassessment; plan step-down to HDU/ward when clinically stable

Intermediate Risk 40–60

SAPS 3 40–60 — predicted mortality 5–30%

→ Active treatment with defined goals; daily prognosis reassessment; family communication; consider time-limited treatment trials; involve palliative care for complex cases

High Mortality Risk 61–200

SAPS 3 >60 — predicted mortality >30% (potentially >50–80%)

→ Senior ICU consultant involvement; goals of care discussion with patient and family; consider withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment if consensus reached; palliative care involvement; ethics consultation if needed; document clearly

Interpretation bands for the SAPS 3. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Moreno RP et al. SAPS 3 — From evaluation of the patient to evaluation of the intensive care unit. Part 2: Development of a prognostic model for hospital mortality at ICU admission. Intensive Care Med. 2005;31(10):1345–1355.

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Drugs

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

Score interpretation

References

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