Measuring organ dysfunction

The support of failing vital organ function, and the prevention of new injury, has been the primary goal of intensive care since its origins more than six decades ago. A primary focus on specific organ system support has led to the concept that the combined dysfunction of these systems represents a syndrome—the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome or MODS. A variety of tools have been developed to quantify the severity of MODS. This review summarizes the conceptual framework that shapes these, their uses as tools in the care and study of critically ill patients, and the issues that will need to be addressed in future refinements. (This article is freely available.)