Home
Back
PSI Equation:
| From: | To: |
The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) is a clinical prediction rule that medical practitioners can use to calculate the probability of morbidity and mortality among patients with community-acquired pneumonia. It helps in determining appropriate treatment settings and intensity of care.
The calculator uses the PSI equation:
Explanation: The PSI score is calculated by summing points assigned to demographic factors and various clinical findings. Higher scores indicate greater severity and higher mortality risk.
Details: The PSI helps clinicians stratify patients into risk classes (I-V) to guide decisions about hospitalization, ICU admission, and appropriate level of care. Lower risk patients may be suitable for outpatient treatment, while higher risk patients require hospitalization.
Tips: Enter the patient's age, select gender, and check all applicable risk factors. The calculator will sum the points to provide the total PSI score and corresponding risk class.
Q1: What are the PSI risk classes?
A: Class I: ≤50 points (lowest risk), Class II: 51-70, Class III: 71-90, Class IV: 91-130, Class V: >130 (highest risk).
Q2: When should PSI be calculated?
A: PSI should be calculated for all adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia to assist with admission and treatment decisions.
Q3: Are there limitations to the PSI?
A: The PSI may underestimate severity in younger patients and doesn't account for some important prognostic factors like hypoxemia or multilobar involvement.
Q4: How does PSI compare to other severity scores?
A: PSI is well-validated but more complex than CURB-65. It's generally more accurate for identifying low-risk patients suitable for outpatient treatment.
Q5: Should PSI replace clinical judgment?
A: No, PSI should be used as a decision support tool alongside clinical assessment, not as a replacement for physician judgment.