A new scoring system for disease intensity in a surgical intensive care unit.

This study of 215 patients in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU) compares the predictive value of a new disease intensity scoring system called the Hanover Intensive System (HIS) with two previously described systems: APACHE (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation), and TISS (Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System). HIS was superior in predicting a lethal outcome at an earlier time than the other methods of scoring. Practical use of this system in clinical decision making was made in timing of reoperation, planning nursing time, and caring for patients following liver transplantation. It is concluded that an accurate disease intensity scoring system such as HIS is of practical benefit in decision making in a surgical ICU.