Aldrete Score Calculator — Post-Anaesthesia Recovery
The Aldrete score is a standardised tool used by anaesthetists and recovery nurses to decide when a patient is safe to leave the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Score each of five criteria on a 0–2 scale; a total of 9 or above is the widely accepted discharge threshold.
Activity (extremity movement)
Respiration
Circulation (systolic BP vs. pre-op)
Consciousness
O₂ Saturation (SpO₂)
Score ≥ 9 — patient meets standard PACU discharge criteria
- 1
Activity + Respiration
2 + 2 = 4 - 2
Circulation + Consciousness + SpO₂
2 + 2 + 2 = 6 - 3
Total Aldrete score
4 + 6 = 10Score ≥ 9 meets the standard PACU discharge threshold.
How does this calculator work?
The Aldrete score sums five criteria (activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, SpO₂) each scored 0–2, for a total out of 10. A score of 9 or higher meets the widely accepted threshold for discharge from the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Developed by Aldrete (1970, updated 1995); always verified by a qualified clinician.
Formula
How this is calculated
Originally developed by J. Antonio Aldrete in 1970 and updated in 1995 to replace "colour" with oxygen-saturation monitoring, the Aldrete score evaluates five physiological domains that reflect emergence from general or regional anaesthesia. Each domain is scored 0 (severely impaired), 1 (partially impaired), or 2 (normal), giving a maximum of 10 points. Activity measures voluntary movement of all four limbs; respiration assesses airway protection and depth of breathing; circulation compares current systolic blood pressure to the pre-operative baseline; consciousness checks wakefulness and responsiveness; and O₂ saturation (SpO₂) tests whether the patient can maintain adequate oxygen levels on room air.
A threshold of ≥ 9 out of 10 is the standard criterion used in most hospitals and is endorsed by international anaesthesia societies. Patients scoring below 9 require continued monitoring and possibly intervention (supplemental oxygen, analgesics, antiemetics) before discharge from the PACU to a general ward or home (day-surgery). Some institutions use 8 as the threshold for monitored step-down units.
This calculator is an educational and clinical reference tool. Discharge decisions must always be made by a qualified clinician considering the full clinical picture — the Aldrete score is one input, not a standalone mandate. It does not cover paediatric-specific scoring systems or specialised post-procedure criteria (e.g. spinal anaesthesia motor block).
Frequently asked questions
The conventional threshold is ≥ 9 out of 10. Some units permit discharge at 8 if the patient is to be transferred to a monitored step-down ward rather than directly to a general ward or home. The responsible clinician makes the final call.
The original 1970 score used "colour" (pink/pale/cyanotic) as the fifth criterion. The 1995 modification replaced it with oxygen saturation (SpO₂), which is more objective and easily measured with pulse oximetry, making the score more reliable in routine clinical practice.
Yes — alternatives include the Steward score (paediatrics), the Chung/PADSS score (ambulatory surgery discharge to home), and the Modified Aldrete Score for discharge from ambulatory settings. Each tool was designed for a specific patient population or discharge destination.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). Aldrete Score Calculator — Post-Anaesthesia Recovery [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/aldrete-score-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "Aldrete Score Calculator — Post-Anaesthesia Recovery." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/aldrete-score-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "Aldrete Score Calculator — Post-Anaesthesia Recovery," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/aldrete-score-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_aldrete_score_calculator, title = {Aldrete Score Calculator — Post-Anaesthesia Recovery}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/aldrete-score-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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