American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Classification of Physical Status

I. Normal , healthy patient with no systemic disease.

Example:

•  Patient’s health: excellent with no systemic disease

•  Limitations on activity: none

•  Danger of death: none

•  Excluded: Persons at extremes of age (very young, very old)

II. Mild to moderate systemic disease.

Example:

•  Patient’s health: disease of one body system

•  Status of underlying disease: well-controlled

•  Limitations on activity: well-controlled

•  Danger of death: none

III. Severe systemic disease with functional limitation that is not incapacitating.

Example:

•  Patient’s health: disease of more than one body system or one major system

•  Status of underlying disease: controlled

•  Limitations on activity: present but not incapacitated

•  Danger of death: no immediate danger

IV. Severe systemic disease that is incapacitating and life threatening.

Example:

•  Patient’s health: poor with at least one severe disease

•  Status of underlying disease: poorly controlled or end-stage

•  Limitations on activity: incapacitated

•  Danger of death: possible

V. A moribund patient not expected to survive 24 hours without surgical intervention.

•  Patient’s health: very poor, moribund

•  Limitations on activity: incapacitated

•  Danger of death: imminent

Note:  Our sedation services include  ASA Class I or II medical status only.

ASA Class III cases can be reviewed and anesthesia requirements can be adjusted with proper medical approval by the patient's physician and patient compliance. Referral of more complicated Class III or higher patients to a hospital dental or medical anesthesiologist is best for patient safety.