TY - JOUR
T1 - Intra-observer variability in APACHE II scoring
AU - Polderman, K.
AU - Christiaans, H.
AU - Wester, J.
AU - Spijkstra, J.
AU - Girbes, A.
PY - 2001/9/22
Y1 - 2001/9/22
N2 - Although the APACHE II score is the most widely used scoring system in intensive care units worldwide, its reliability and variability have not been extensively studied. Differences in case-mix may complicate comparison and interpretation of results. We hypothesised that a degree of variability might be inherent to use of the APACHE II scoring system, and decided to assess intra-observer variability in APACHE II scoring as a potential indicator of inherent score variability. APACHE II scores were assessed twice from the charts of 11 patients by 14 physicians, with a time interval of 4 (range 3.5-4.5) months between the two assessments. Intra-observer was found to be approximately 15%. These findings are in agreement with previous observations regarding inter-observer variability in APACHE II scoring, and strongly suggest that there is an inherent score variability of about 15%.
AB - Although the APACHE II score is the most widely used scoring system in intensive care units worldwide, its reliability and variability have not been extensively studied. Differences in case-mix may complicate comparison and interpretation of results. We hypothesised that a degree of variability might be inherent to use of the APACHE II scoring system, and decided to assess intra-observer variability in APACHE II scoring as a potential indicator of inherent score variability. APACHE II scores were assessed twice from the charts of 11 patients by 14 physicians, with a time interval of 4 (range 3.5-4.5) months between the two assessments. Intra-observer was found to be approximately 15%. These findings are in agreement with previous observations regarding inter-observer variability in APACHE II scoring, and strongly suggest that there is an inherent score variability of about 15%.
KW - APACHE II score
KW - Inherent score variability
KW - Intra-observer variability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0034857132&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340101033
DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s001340101033
M3 - Article
C2 - 11685351
SN - 0342-4642
VL - 27
SP - 1550
EP - 1552
JO - Intensive care medicine
JF - Intensive care medicine
IS - 9
ER -