Use of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification in non-trauma surgical versus trauma patients: a survey of inter-observer consistency

Abstract

Background: The American Society of Anesthesiologists-Physical Status (ASA-PS) Classification is a grading system for classifying surgical patients based on their co-morbid background. Despite numerous benefits, its highly subjective nature has led to marked inconsistency when used. The purpose of this study was to assess consistency when public sector anaesthetists score trauma and non-trauma surgical patients using the Classification.