Risk Scoring Systems

The most familiar scoring systems were ASA, APACHE, and ThoraScore; about 70% of respondents were familiar with the first two.� Despite this level of familiarity, about half of respondents don?t use the systems routinely.� The primary reasons for lack of use include no familiarity with systems, general or patient-specific inaccuracy, and difficulty of calculating a predictive score.

Among those respondents who do use scoring systems, about two-thirds use them sporadically, especially in higher risk patients.� The opinion regarding the ability of scoring systems to influence patient selection/management was guarded.

A much smaller number of respondents participated in this survey compared to others, perhaps because of relative disinterest in the topic.� The majority of participants were from North America and Europe.

1. Which published risk scoring systems are you familiar with, even if you don?t use one routinely (check all that apply)?
	answered question		124
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
ASA		71.8%	89
POSSUM		14.5%	18
Charlson		17.7%	22
APACHE		69.4%	86
ETS		9.7%	12
EVAD		4.0%	5
Thorascore		25.8%	32

2. If you don?t use risk scoring systems at all, what is the primary reason for this?
	answered question		124
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
They are not accurate		11.3%	14
They don?t apply to individual patients		12.1%	15
They are too difficult to calculate and apply		17.7%	22
They are confusing		5.6%	7
I?m not familiar with such systems		28.2%	35
I do use these systems		25.0%	31

3. If you use risk scoring systems in your practice, what is the primary reason for this?
	answered question		126
	skipped question		11
		Response Percent	Response Count
Helps select patients for surgery		15.9%	20
Assists with my discussions with patients		16.7%	21
Helps assign appropriate resources for patient care		7.9%	10
Curiosity		0.0%	0
I don?t see much benefit, but assess the risk score nevertheless		5.6%	7
Other		5.6%	7
I don?t use these systems		48.4%	61

4. If you use a risk scoring system as part of your practice, what is your pattern of use?
	answered question		124
	skipped question		13
		Response Percent	Response Count
I use it for every patient		17.7%	22
I use it for patients that appear to be high risk		28.2%	35
I use it sporadically		8.9%	11
I don?t use scoring systems		45.2%	56

5. Do you believe the use of risk scoring systems influences your patient selection and/or management?
	answered question		134
	skipped question		3
		Response Percent	Response Count
Definitely		17.2%	23
Maybe		29.9%	40
Probably not		11.9%	16
No		7.5%	10
I don?t use scoring systems		33.6%	45

6. In what region do you practice?
	answered question		135
	skipped question		2
		Response Percent	Response Count
North America		57.0%	77
Europe		24.4%	33
Asia		8.9%	12
Africa		3.0%	4
Central or South America		4.4%	6
Australia/New Zealand		2.2%	3