ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

ASA physical status classification system

The ASA physical status classification system is a way of describing a person's health in terms of how safe it is to give them anesthesia. It can help doctors and nurses make decisions about which types of anesthesia should be used, and how much anesthesia should be given.

The system is based on five categories, which are letters from A to E. Each letter stands for a different level of health:

A is the best, meaning the person is usually very healthy and it is safe to give them anesthesia.

B means the person is healthy but could have an increased risk when given anesthesia.

C means the person has a severe health problem, so extra caution should be taken when giving them anesthesia.

D means the person has a severe physical problem and it is very risky to give the person anesthesia.

E means the person has a life-threatening condition that makes it too dangerous to give them anesthesia.

The ASA physical status classification system is used to help medical teams decide the best way to use anesthesia for a person. It helps keep patients safe.