Class I patients have no signs of systemic toxicity, have no uncontrolled co-morbidities and can usually be managed with oral antimicrobials on an outpatient basis
Class II patients are either systemically ill or systemically well but with a co-morbidity such as peripheral vascular disease, chronic venous insufficiency or morbid obesity which may complicate or delay resolution of their infection
Class III patients may have a significant systemic upset such as acute confusion, tachycardia, tachypnoea, hypotension or may have unstable co-morbidities that may interfere with a response to therapy or have a limb threatening infection due to vascular compromise
Class IV patients have sepsis syndrome or severe life threatening infection such as necrotizing fasciitis
Reference:
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