ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) Physical Status Classification System
Last reviewed 01/2018
ASA grades
The ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) Physical Status Classification System is a simple scale describing fitness to undergo an anaesthetic.
The ASA states that it does not endorse any elaboration of these definitions. However, anaesthetists in the UK often qualify (or interpret) these grades as relating to functional capacity - that is, comorbidity that does not (ASA 2) or that does (ASA 3) limit a person's activity
| ASA 1 | A normal healthy patient |
| ASA 2 | A patient with mild systemic disease |
| ASA 3 | A patient with severe systemic disease |
| ASA 4 | A patient with severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life |
Reference:
grades of complexity of surgery (classification according to NICE)
NICE - suggested preoperative tests based on complexity of surgery and ASA classification