FAST scale
Also written as: FAST — Functional Assessment Staging Tool
Functional Assessment Staging Tool that measures progressive functional decline in dementia patients through seven stages.
Full Definition
The FAST (Functional Assessment Staging Tool) scale is a validated instrument used to assess and stage functional decline in patients with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The scale progresses through seven stages, from normal aging (Stage 1) to severe late-stage dementia (Stage 7), with detailed substages in the final stage. In geriatric psychiatry, the FAST scale is valuable for prognosis, care planning, and determining appropriateness of interventions. It helps clinicians communicate disease progression to families and is often used in hospice eligibility determinations. The scale focuses on functional abilities rather than cognitive testing scores.
In Context
- "The patient scored FAST Stage 6a, indicating severe dementia with difficulty dressing independently." — Neuropsychological evaluation
- "FAST scale progression from 5 to 6 warranted discussion of advanced care planning with the family." — Progress note