Pediatric Computerized Severity Index

Our objective is to develop a valid and reliable tool to assess the severity of illness of criticallyill pediatric patients. Severity is to be measured on a disease-specific basis by assessing the patient'sphysiologic condition. Performance of treatments will not affect measurement of the patient's severityof illness. The index will provide an overall patient severity level that accounts for the extent andinteraction of all diseases present. In addition, it will also provide a severity score for each individualdisease. The severity index is to be computerized, which will enable users to compile a dynamic,relational, physiological, severity-adjusted patient database. The database will be available forcomparative analyses, outcome studies, and clinical practice improvement studies. This project willfocus on identifying the disease-specific physiological factors that contribute to the patient's severityof illness and on creating software programs that incorporate them.