Simplified Acute Physiology Score 3 (SAPS 3)
SAPS 3 admission score from data within 1 hour of ICU admission (Box I: before admission; Box II: circumstances of admission; Box III: physiology). Predicts hospital mortality.
Score interpretation
SAPS 3 ≤ 44: predicted hospital mortality below 10 % (general equation).
→ Standard ICU care; organ support as needed; daily reassessment; plan step-down to HDU/ward when clinically stable
SAPS 3 45–54: predicted hospital mortality 10–25 %.
→ Active treatment with defined goals; daily prognosis reassessment; family communication; consider time-limited treatment trials; involve palliative care for complex cases
SAPS 3 55–66: predicted hospital mortality 25–50 %.
→ Active treatment with defined goals; daily prognosis reassessment; family communication; consider time-limited treatment trials; involve palliative care for complex cases
SAPS 3 ≥ 67: predicted hospital mortality 50 % or more.
→ 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.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Glyceryl Trinitrate (Sublingual / IV) · Nitrate / Acute Angina
- Dobutamine (Acute HF / Stress Echo) · Inotrope / Acute Heart Failure
- Milrinone · Inodilator / Acute Heart Failure
- Prednisolone (Systemic) · Systemic Corticosteroid — Acute Dermatoses
- Methoxyflurane · Inhaled Analgesic — Acute Pain
- Colchicine (Acute Gout) · Anti-Inflammatory (Microtubule Inhibitor)
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.