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Aldrete Score Calculator

Created by Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
Reviewed by Steven Wooding and Aleksandra Zając, MD
Based on research by
J A Aldrete, D Kroulik A postanesthetic recovery score; Anesthesia and analgesia; Nov-Dec 1970See 1 more source
J A Aldrete The post-anesthesia recovery score revisited; Journal of clinical anesthesia; Feb 1995
Last updated: Jun 05, 2023


The Aldrete score calculator allows you to evaluate your patient's recovery from anesthesia using five basic criteria. Our tool serves as one of the post-anesthesia discharge scoring systems. 🛏️

Not feeling comfortable with the subject? Follow the article below to discover PACU discharge criteria and find out what are the five categories of the Aldrete score.

We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace a professional doctor's assessment. If any health condition bothers you, consult a physician.

What is the Aldrete score used for?

We use the Aldrete score to assess the anesthesia recovery phases. The system finds its application in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) in the hospitals.

Surgical anesthesia is a complicated procedure that may lead to unexpected complications - that's why all the patients need surveillance and close monitoring.

During general anesthesia, we're not only giving painkillers - we turn off all the muscle action so that the patients cannot move or breathe by themselves. Surgery and PACU wards are equipped with respirators and other special devices to protect patients from the consequences of these side effects.

That is another reason we need to make sure that they have regained all their essential life functions - their presence in the regular, unequipped wards shouldn't pose a threat to their lives.

💡 Post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) is an area attached to the surgery zone in the hospitals. PACU is a special place for the patients to recover from any kind of anesthesia. Patients are transferred to their original wards after period of scrutinous medical observation.

We distinguish 2 phases of recovery

  1. Early recovery (PACU phase 1). The use of the Aldrete score is recommended.

    • Patient awakens;
    • Recovers airway reflexes; and
    • Resumes motor activity.
  2. Late recovery (phase 2). Applies to the ambulatory or same-day admission.

    • Mobility increase;
    • Oral intake;
    • Analgesia; and
    • Education & prescriptions.

Want to know more? Try our other emergency score tools:

How to use the Aldrete score calculator?

Our tool computes the Aldrete score in anesthesia in 5 simple steps.

The assessment needs to be made in the PACU in hospitals, after both general and local anesthetic procedures.

  1. Consciousness needs to be assessed repeatedly; the patient should be fully alert and answer to all the questions in a logical, understandable way.
  2. Mobility depends on the patient's ability to move his limbs voluntarily or on command.
  3. Breathing should be assessed based on respiratory effort, e.g., activation of additional muscle groups, recruitment of expiratory muscles.
  4. Circulation is performed by regular assessment of the patient's blood pressure and careful comparison to values obtained before the surgery.
  5. Color of the skin needs to be within the normal range. Any deviation from the patient's regular skin color is suspicious.

Yours results are here! 🍾 Is there anything else you'd like to calculate? Maybe TIMI score for myocardial infraction risk?

How to calculate the Aldrete score?

To receive your patient's post-anesthesia recovery score, add all the points from the table below that correspond to your patient's state. ⤵️

  • Patients with score 9 to 10 can be safely discharged from the PACU.
  • Aldrete score of 8 and lower indicates the need for continuous close observation.

Aldrete scoring system

Consciousness

Fully awake, in full contact

2 pts

Arousable by calling

1 pt

Not responding

0 pts

Mobility

Able to move 4 extremities on command

2 pts

Able to move 2 extremities on command

1 pt

Unable to move extremities

0 pts

Breathing

Able to breathe deeply and cough freely

2 pts

Dyspnoea or limited breathing

1 pt

Apnoeic

0 pts

Circulation

BP ±20% of pre-anesthetic level

2 pts

BP ±20-49% of pre-anesthetic level

1 pt

BP ±50% of pre-anesthetic level

0 pts

Skin color

Normal

2 pts

Pale, dusky, blotchy, jaundiced, or other

1 pt

Cyanotic

0 pts

Łucja Zaborowska, MD, PhD candidate
Consciousness
Fully awake
Mobility
Able to move 4 extremities
Breathing
Able to breathe/cough freely
Circulation
BP ±20%
Color
Normal
Result
Aldrete score
pts
✅ Your patient can leave the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit.
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