Quantum mechanics

Intensive care medicine

Philosophy

Statistics

American society of anesthesiologists

Surgery

Simplicity

Iron deficiency

Power (physics)

Anemia

Risk analysis (engineering)

Physics

Mathematics

Rating scale

Epistemology

Internal medicine

Reliability (semiconductor)

Medicine

Inter-rater reliability

Iron status

Anesthesiology

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status classification system celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2021. Its simplicity represents its greatest strength as well as a limitation in a world of comprehensive multisystem tools. It was developed for statistical purposes and not as a surgical risk predictor. However, since it correlates well with multiple outcomes, it is widely used-appropriately or not-for risk prediction and many other purposes. It is timely to review the history and development of the system. The authors describe the controversies surrounding the ASA Physical Status classification, including the problems of interrater reliability and its limitations as a risk predictor. Last, the authors reflect on the current status and potential future of the ASA Physical Status system.

The Evolution, Current Value, and Future of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System