Glasgow Coma Scale

The Glasgow Coma Scale ( GCS) or Glasgow coma scale is a simple scale for assessing impaired consciousness. Although they are often in intensive care medicine - especially after a traumatic brain injury ( trauma) - is used can be personalized with the GCS and general disturbances of consciousness quantify. It is important to note that recommendations about to be drawn intense medical consequences (such as endotracheal intubation for values ​​less than or equal to 8 ) are only scientifically validated for patients with traumatic brain injury.

This common evaluation scheme for describing the state of consciousness in 1974 by Graham Teasdale and Bryan J. Jennett, two neurosurgeons at the University of Glasgow ( Scotland), developed. There are three categories, will be awarded for each of points:

  • Eye opening
  • Verbal communication
  • Motor (movement ) response

For each heading points are awarded separately and subsequently added. The maximum score is 15 ( fully conscious ), the minimum 3 points ( in deep coma). At 8 points or less is expected of a very serious brain disorder and there is a risk of life-threatening respiratory disorders, so that in a GCS less than or equal to 8 a backup of the respiratory tract must be considered by endotracheal intubation.

The Glasgow Coma Scale is used for example in the assessment of severity of craniocerebral trauma, but also in general use in neurology. She is also part of other scoring systems ( dt rating systems ), for example, the Mainz Emergency Evaluation Scores or APACHE II scores.

Glasgow Coma Scale for Adults

Limitations

The use of the Glasgow Coma Scale is of limited use because of the lack of verbal communication skills in children under the age of 36 months. Therefore, the Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale was developed for younger children. Also in need of care, disoriented the GCS is of limited value. Apart from the Glasgow Coma Score, the decision on the treatment of trauma patients in addition of clinical symptoms and findings ( CT, MRI, etc. ) is dependent.

Paediatric Glasgow Coma Scale
267826
de