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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2020 Apr 14.
Published in final edited form as: J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019 Aug 9;58(5):844–850.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.08.003

Appendix Table 1.

Preliminary and Modified Serious Illness Definitions Presented to the Expert Advisory Panel

Preliminary Definition Modifications After Expert Advisory Panel In-Person Discussion
ASA Risk: Class IV or V NC
Vulnerable elder1922,24,25 Vulnerable elder
 • Older adult >74 years old    • Older adult > 84 years old
 • Older adult >64 with any functional or cognitive disability    • Older adult >64 with any functional or cognitive disability
Advanced cancer7,11,13,26 NC
 • Stage III and IV solid cancers OR hematologic malignancies
 • AND at least one hospitalization in prior year
Oxygen-dependent pulmonary disease11,13,5962,84,85 NC
Heart failure diagnosis with any hospitalization or at least two ED visits in the past three years11,13,43,44 Heart failure diagnosis with any all-cause hospitalization or at least two ED visits in the past six months
Cirrhosis with any Child-Turcotte-Pugh Class or Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score11,13,4548,50,86 NC
End-stage renal disease on dialysis or eligible for dialysis5254 NC
Dementia with impaired daily function and at least one hospitalization in prior year11 NC
Trauma patients6,27 NC
 • Severe traumatic brain injury with Abbreviated Injury Scale of 3 or greater
 • Critical injury (Injury Severity Score >25 or >24 hours intensive care unit admission)
Frailty6675 NC
Nursing home resident7679 NC

ASA = American Society of Anesthesiology; NC = no change; ED = emergency department.