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 Release 21.0, Jan 2008
 
Chapter : ch29. Trauma & Emergency Medicine Section : Triage of the Trauma Patient
  Trauma Index

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Overview :

The Trauma Index can be used to rapidly evaluate patients with traumatic injury.

 

Point assignment for Injury severity:

• minimal injury: 1

• moderate injury: 3 or 4

• severe injury: 6

 

Parameter

Finding

Points

region

head or neck

6

 

chest or abdomen

4

 

back

3

 

skin or extremities

1

type of injury

missile

6

 

blunt

4

 

stab wound

3

 

laceration or contusion

1

cardiovascular status

absent pulses

6

 

blood pressure < 80, pulse > 140

4

 

blood pressure < 100, pulse > 100

3

 

external hemorrhage

1

 

normal

0

central nervous system status

coma

6

 

motor or sensory loss

4

 

stupor

3

 

drowsy

1

 

normal

0

respiratory status

apnea or cyanosis

6

 

evidence of aspiration

4

 

dyspnea or hemoptysis

3

 

chest pain

1

 

normal

0

 

trauma index =

= (points for region) + (points for type of injury) + (points for cardiovascular status) + (points for CNS status) + (points for respiratory status)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum score with trauma: 2

• maximum score: 30

• scores > 7 need admission to the hospital

 

Limitations:

• The index is not intended for burn patients.

 

  References:

Ford EG. Chapter 4: Trauma Triage. pages 95-117. IN: Ford EG, Andrassy RJ. Pediatric Trauma - Initial Assessment and Management. W.B. Saunders Company. 1994.

Kirkpatrick JR, Youmans RL. Trauma Index: An aide to the evaluation of injury victims. J Trauma. 1971; 11: 711-714.

 

 

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