DECAF score | Circle | |
D* | eMRCD 5a (too breathless to leave the house unassisted but independent in washing and/or dressing) | 1 |
eMRCD 5b (t oo breathless to leave the house unassisted and requires help with washing and dressing) | 2 | |
E | Eosinopaenia (eosinophils <0.05×109/L) | 1 |
C | CXR Consolidation | 1 |
A† | Moderate or severe Acidaemia (pH<7.3) | 1 |
F | Atrial Fibrillation (including history of paroxysmal AF) | 1 |
Total: |
*Breathlessness assessed on a good day within the last 3 months, not breathlessness during an exacerbation/on admission.
†If a blood gas has not been performed, provided oxygen saturation breathing room air is greater than 92%, acidaemia can be assumed not to score. Please refer to the DECAF validation study for detailed instructions on scoring.7
AF, atrial fibrillation; CXR, chest radiograph; eMRCD, extended Medical Research Council Dyspnoea score.