Post Anesthetic Discharge Scoring System (PADS) Score
Evaluates if patient can be safely discharged from hospital following procedure that required anesthesia.
Refer to the text below the calculator for more information about the PADS score.
The PADS score can be used in the evaluation of patient readiness to be discharged from hospital following a procedure that required some form of anesthesia.
The PADS score consists of 5 items, each scored from 0 to 2, where the higher the score, the greater the degree of the patient’s recovery and readiness to be discharged.
Scores of 9 or 10 mean the patient can be safely discharged.
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Deciding Safe Discharge Post-Anesthethic
The PADS score can be used when clinically assessing the physical status of the patient during post anesthesia recovery.
The PADS score consists of 5 items, each scored from 0 to 2, where the higher the score, the greater the degree of the patient’s recovery and readiness to be discharged.
| PADS Score item | Answer choices | Pts |
| Vital Signs | Within 20% of preoperative value | 2 |
| 20%-40% of preoperative value | 1 | |
| > 40% preoperative value | 0 | |
| Activity and mental status | Oriented × 3 AND has a steady gait | 2 |
| Oriented × 3 OR has a steady gait | 1 | |
| Neither | 0 | |
| Pain, nausea and/or vomiting | Minimal | 2 |
| Moderate, having required treatment | 1 | |
| Severe, requiring treatment | 0 | |
| Surgical bleeding | Minimal | 2 |
| Moderate | 1 | |
| Severe | 0 | |
| Intake and output | Has had PO fluids AND voided | 2 |
| Has had PO fluids OR voided | 1 | |
| Neither | 0 |
Scores of 9 or 10 mean the patient can be safely discharged. However, please note that the patient’s status and length of hospitalization following anesthetic may be influenced by other variables as well.
Other similar scores include the Aldrete Score and its modified Aldrete Score version.
References
Kaviani N, Shahtusi M, Haj Norousali Tehrani M, Nazari S. Effect of Oral Midazolam Premedication on Children's Co-operation Before General Anesthesia in Pediatric Dentistry. J Dent (Shiraz). 2014; 15(3):123-8.
Palumbo P, Tellan G, Perotti B, Pacilè MA, Vietri F, Illuminati G. Modified PADSS (Post Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System) for monitoring outpatients discharge. Ann Ital Chir. 2013; 84(6):661-5.
Specialty: Anesthesiology
Abbreviation: PADS
Article By: Denise Nedea
Published On: November 26, 2020 · 12:00 AM
Last Checked: November 26, 2020
Next Review: November 26, 2025