Poisoning Severity Score

Overview

The Poisoning Severity Score classification was developed in a joint project by IPCS and the Swedish Poisons Information Service, with the support of the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists and the European Commission. It provides a standardized scale for grading the severity of acute poisoning based on observed signs and symptoms.

The scheme takes the form of a chart organized by body system and lists symptoms, signs and selected clinical chemistry results that indicate minor, moderate and severe toxicity for each system. The overall severity is determined by the most severe symptoms and signs.