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Revised Trauma Score (RTS) Calculator

Revised Trauma Score (RTS) Calculation

What is the Revised Trauma Score?

The Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is a physiological scoring system used to assess the severity of injury in trauma patients. It is based on the first set of data obtained on the patient and consists of three physiological parameters: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), and Respiratory Rate (RR). Each parameter is scored from 0 to 4, with the total RTS ranging from 0 to 12.

Clinical Significance

The Revised Trauma Score is valuable for:

  • Triage of trauma patients in the field
  • Predicting mortality and outcomes
  • Assessing the need for trauma center care
  • Quality assurance in trauma care
  • Research and trauma registry purposes

Score Components

The RTS evaluates three physiological parameters:

  1. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): Assesses level of consciousness
  2. Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP): Measures cardiovascular function
  3. Respiratory Rate (RR): Evaluates respiratory function

Interpretation

The RTS ranges from 0 to 12:

  • Higher scores (closer to 12) indicate better physiological status and better prognosis
  • Lower scores indicate more severe injury and higher mortality risk
  • Scores below 11 generally indicate the need for treatment at a trauma center
  • A score of 12 represents normal physiological function

Limitations

The Revised Trauma Score has several limitations:

  • May underestimate the severity of isolated head injuries
  • Does not account for age, comorbidities, or mechanism of injury
  • May be affected by medications, alcohol, or drugs that alter physiological parameters
  • Requires accurate measurement of all three parameters
  • Not as accurate in pediatric patients

References

  1. Champion HR, Sacco WJ, Copes WS, Gann DS, Gennarelli TA, Flanagan ME. A revision of the Trauma Score. J Trauma. 1989;29(5):623-629.
  2. Gilpin DA, Nelson PG. Revised trauma score: a triage tool in the accident and emergency department. Injury. 1991;22(1):35-37.
  3. Gabbe BJ, Cameron PA, Finch CF. Is the revised trauma score still useful? ANZ J Surg. 2003;73(11):944-948.
  4. Kondo Y, et al. Revised trauma scoring system to predict in-hospital mortality in the emergency department: Glasgow Coma Scale, Age, and Systolic Blood Pressure score. Crit Care. 2011;15(4):R191.