The Ambulatory Severity Index is a method to better quantitate the total complexity of an ambulatory visit.
NOTE: The exact details of the index are sketchy in the original article (Horn et al, 1988). I hope to find additional references to clarify this.
Diagnoses and Problems
All diagnoses and problems addressed at the visit are graded based on their seriousness.
Level
Severity
Implication
1
none or mild
warrants no intervention
2
moderate
action may be taken
3
severe
requires workup (and resource utilization)
4
catastrophic
consider hospital admission
Each item of level 2 or higher is squared, giving greater weight to items which are more serious.
Complexity Factors
Biological and biophysical factors
(1) urgency
(2) complications
Behavioral factors
(3) social situation
(4) physical functioning
(5) psychological functioning
(6) compliance
(7) communication
Functioning
normal
problems but not interfering with implementation of treatment
problems interfering with implementation of treatment
lack of ability to function independently
Score
The final score is given as a single number called the S^4 score (the signs and symbols, sum of squares).
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Purpose: To measure the seriousness of a patient encounter in the ambulatory care setting using the Ambulatory Severity Index (ASI).
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage, disease progression, economic cost
ICD-10: Z03,
