Palliative Performance Scale

Healthcare professionals use the Palliative Performance Scale to assess the functional status and decline of palliative care patients, primarily those with advanced cancer or other significant illnesses. The PPS evaluates five key areas: ambulation, activity, evidence of disease, self-care, oral intake, and level of consciousness.

A PPS score of 30% indicates that the patient is entirely bed-bound, requiring extensive assistance for all self-care activities, and has a minimal intake, often only able to take sips of fluid. At this stage, the patient is likely experiencing profound weakness or paralysis, with a significantly reduced level of consciousness, potentially ranging from drowsiness to coma.

While both scales assess a patient's functional status and ability to perform daily activities, the PPS is specifically designed for palliative care settings and focuses on five key areas. In contrast, the KPS is a broader measure of general performance status. Additionally, the PPS scale is presented in 10% increments, while the KPS uses a 100-point scale with 10-point increments.