Severity assessment in critically ill patients: challenges for the Argentine system in 2024

Abstract

The text analyzed the use of the APACHE II and SOFA prognostic scales in the Argentine context during the year 2024, highlighting their relevance in the evaluation of severity and mortality in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units. The components of both scales were described in detail and it was explained how each one allowed quantifying the clinical condition of the patient by means of physiological and biochemical variables. However, the limitations encountered for their effective application in the Argentine health system, marked by the economic crisis, shortage of medical supplies, lack of trained personnel and structural deficiencies in public hospitals, were also exposed.
The research addressed how these barriers hindered the full implementation of such tools, leading to a greater dependence on the clinical judgment of the health professional. In addition, the crucial role played by medical expertise, diagnostic sensitivity and communication with family members was highlighted, especially in an unequal social and healthcare environment. The role of technology was also mentioned as a potential support in the automatic calculation of the scales, although its availability was limited and uneven.
Finally, the text emphasized that, although scales such as APACHE II and SOFA were useful as a guide, they did not replace the critical eye or the vocation of health care personnel. Their effective use depended on a strengthened system, sufficient resources and a humanized vision of intensive care.