The Glasgow Coma Scale is a ... [1]

The Glasgow Coma Scale is used to calculate the APACHE II score and the MOST score.

The possible values stored as dropdown lists on your PDA and in Access are as follows:

Score 6 5 4 3 2 1
Eyes     Spontaneous To

Speech

To

Pain

None
Motor Obeys

Command

Localizes

Pain

Withdraws

to Pain

Abnormal

Flexion

Abnormal

Extension

None
Verbal   Oriented Confused Inappropriate

words

Incomprehensible

sounds

None
Verbal vented   Appears Oriented   ? Oriented   No response

Special Cases

  • For patients whose ability to communicate are reduced due to pre-existing conditions, score as fully functioning if they are able to function at the level that is normal for this patient. (e.g. Down's syndrome)
  • Patients who are aphasic or intubated but clearly responsive or can communicate in writing should be coded as functioning normally.
  • (there is a case of patients LOC reduced due to meds and how that should be coded normal as well - details anyone?)
    • For non neuro and post operative patient who are sedated or paralyzed, record a NORMAL GSC score unless there are concerns in regards brain injury of some sort. Sedataion does not allow us to accurately assess neuological status therefore we use alternative inofjmraion that was documented prior to OR or sedation or we use our "best guess" based on chart notes.
      • I think that one might weave back and forth too much and be a bit hard to read. How about this:

Sedation or paralysis may not allow us to accurately assess neurological status. For sedated or paralyzed patients consider their likely neurological status once sedation wears off or if they were able to move.

  • use information that was documented prior to sedation or OR or "best guess" based on chart notes
  • if there is any sign of brain injury, score <how>
  • for most patients this will mean a normal GCS score

Even if my version is not adopted, we do need to state how to score in case of brain injury. Ttenbergen 17:15, 18 June 2008 (CDT) Template:Discussion

Discussion

  • proper entry required in "special cases" for (there is a case of patients LOC reduced due to meds and how that should be coded normal as well - details anyone?) Ttenbergen 14:14, 18 June 2008 (CDT)


  • How do we classify drug overdoses,when the outcome isn't clear?

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