The Omega Score was developed in France as a measure of the intensity of critical care provided. The total Omega score can be used to estimate the direct cost of the ICU stay.
Classes of items (47):
(1) recorded one time if performed during the ICU stay (28)
(2) recorded every time performed during the ICU stay (11)
(3) recorded every day performed (8)
Points assigned: from 1 to 10, according to the required workload (10 maximum)
|
Omega 1 (Counted Once If Done Anytime During the ICU Stay) |
Points |
|
tracheotomy |
6 |
|
intubation |
6 |
|
thoracic or pericardiac drains |
6 |
|
training for home respiratory assistance |
3 |
|
central line or introducer |
3 |
|
pulmonary arterial line |
6 |
|
arterial line |
3 |
|
pacemaker |
3 |
|
intra-aortic balloon |
10 |
|
cardioversion |
3 |
|
circulatory arrest |
10 |
|
vasoactive drugs |
6 |
|
fibrinolytic drugs |
10 |
|
blood infusion more than 0.5 volemia per day |
10 |
|
gastric lavage |
1 |
|
parenteral feeding > 34 kcal/kg/day for > 9 days |
6 |
|
enteral feeding > 34 kcal/kg/day for > 9 days |
3 |
|
ascites reinjection |
10 |
|
esophageal varices tamponade |
3 |
|
arteriovenous fistula |
10 |
|
ureteral catheter |
3 |
|
suprapubic drainage |
1 |
|
complex orthopedic traction |
6 |
|
intensive neurologic monitoring |
1 |
|
lumbar drainage |
1 |
|
intracranial pressure monitoring |
3 |
|
> 1 day anesthesia and/or analgesia |
6 |
|
lavage puncture |
3 |
|
Omega 2 (Counted Every Time Performed) |
Points |
|
hemodialysis or extracorporeal circulation |
10 |
|
plasmapheresis |
10 |
|
bronchioendoscopy (bronchioalveolar lavage included) |
3 |
|
digestive endoscopy |
3 |
|
hyperbaric oxygen |
10 |
|
ultrasonic procedure |
3 |
|
isotopic procedure for diagnosis |
6 |
|
radiography with contrast product (angiography) |
10 |
|
operating room (preparation, transport or reception) |
6 |
|
preparation transport with continuous intensive care |
1 |
|
other transports out of the unit |
3 |
|
Omega 3 Items (Counted Every Day Performed) |
Points |
|
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) |
10 |
|
mechanical ventilation |
10 |
|
peritoneal dialysis, hemofiltration |
10 |
|
complex surgical dressing |
10 |
|
digestive reinfusion |
6 |
|
patient isolation in a sterile room |
10 |
|
continuous monitoring |
4 |
|
infant in incubator |
1 |
Omega 1 subscore =
= SUM(points for the 28 items counted once during the ICU stay)
Omega 2 subscore =
= SUM(points for the 11 items counted every time performed during the ICU stay)
Omega 3 subscore =
= SUM(points for the 8 items performed every day performed during the ICU stay)
total Omega score =
= (points for Omega 1) + (points for Omega 2) + (points for Omega 3)
Interpretation:
• minimum Omega score: 0 (unlikely for anyone needing admission to the ICU)
• maximum Omega score: > 1000
A formula was developed to estimate the direct cost of the ICU stay based on the total Omega score:
direct cost of ICU stay in Euros =
= ((211.68 * (total Omega score)) + 1191.50) / 6.55957
Limitations:
• The list of items needs to be updated for current practice.
• Workload units may have changed in the interim.
• The cost equation needs to be adjusted for inflation and the currency exchange rates (an assumption in Sznajde et al is that the Euro was trading at parity with the US dollar).
Specialty: Critical Care, Emergency Medicine
ICD-10: ,
