Revised Trauma Score

Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system, primarily used in emergency medical services, to assess the severity of trauma in injured patients. The RTS is widely used around the world and has been proven to be an accurate predictor of patient survival following traumatic injuries.

Calculation

The Revised Trauma Score is calculated based on three parameters: the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and respiratory rate (RR). Each of these parameters is assigned a value from 0 to 4, with 4 being the best possible score. The RTS is then calculated using the formula:

RTS = 0.9368GCS + 0.7326SBP + 0.2908RR

Glasgow Coma Scale

The Glasgow Coma Scale is a neurological scale that aims to give a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person. It is used in the calculation of the RTS to assess the severity of brain injury.

Systolic Blood Pressure

Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts). It is used in the calculation of the RTS to assess the severity of blood loss.

Respiratory Rate

The respiratory rate (RR) is the number of breaths a person takes per minute. It is used in the calculation of the RTS to assess the severity of respiratory distress.

Use in Trauma

The Revised Trauma Score is used in the initial assessment of injured patients in the emergency department. It is a quick and easy tool that can be used to predict the likelihood of patient survival, guide treatment decisions, and facilitate communication between healthcare providers.

Limitations

While the RTS is a valuable tool in the assessment of trauma patients, it has some limitations. It does not take into account the patient's age, pre-existing medical conditions, or the presence of multiple injuries. Furthermore, it is less accurate in predicting outcomes for patients with penetrating trauma compared to those with blunt trauma.

See Also

• Trauma score
• Injury Severity Score
• Trauma and Injury Severity Score

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  Revised Trauma Score Fast Reference Chart